March 15, 2007   The Parade, The Real St. Patrick's Cathedral, Our favorite Irish Pubs and more...   Happy St. Patrick's Day.  As it happens, all four of The Three Tomatoes (and yes there are four), are all of Irish heritage, so forgive us this little indulgence.  St. Patrick's Day is our holiday after all.   But whether you live in New York City, or Boston, or just about anywhere else you know we share this special day with all of you.   So here are some of our favorite Irish things in New York City.   The Oldest St. Patrick's Day Parade   The first St Patrick's Day parade took place in 1776, right here in New York City, organized by Irish soldiers serving in His Majesty's service, making it the oldest St. Patrick's Day parade in the country.  In those days, anyone could march in the parade which took place downtown, and ended with a review by the Archbishop of New York at the Old Saint Patrick's Cathedral.  Following the parade, the marchers and watchers alike headed for a pint or two or three.   And while the parade moved uptown in the 1800's, it has stayed fairly true to its roots.  It is one of the few parades anywhere that still has only marching people, about 150,000 of them, with no cars or floats.    This year's parade starts at 11:00 a.m. at 44th and Fifth Avenue, led by the 165th Infantry, originally known as The Fighting Irish.   The marchers are typically members of various Irish societies, like the famous Emerald Society of the New York City Police and Fire departments and their fabulous bag pipers, although every politician running for anything will march too. (Which shows they still let just about anybody march, unless of course you're gay. Personally, we think it's the politicians who should be banned.)   The parade travels north on Fifth Avenue pausing in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral on 50th Street where Cardinal Eagan will call for a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of 9/11.  The parade then continues to 86th Street and ends on Third Avenue, where you'll find an Irish pub on just about every corner, and revelers head for a pint or two of three.    The Old St. Patrick's Cathedral   Yes, folks there are two St. Patrick's Cathedrals in New York City.  The original St. Patrick's Church started construction in 1859 at the corner of Prince and Mott Streets (right in the heart of today's Little Italy.)    Before it was completed, it was ravaged by fire, restored, and finally dedicated in 1866.   It is the City's oldest Roman Catholic church and its first cathedral.   Designed in the Gothic Revival style by architect Joseph Francois Mangin, who also designed City Hall, it has an impressive marble altar surrounded by ornately hand-carved, gold leaf alcoves, containing some of the finest religious statuary in the United States.  The choir loft has a pipe organ build in 1868 by Henry Erben the most well known organ builder in America.  Buried in the cemetery surrounding the church, are many soldiers from the New York Irish Brigade (named "The Fighting Irish" by Lincoln) who fought during the Civil War and died valiantly at the Battle of Bull Run --  the only Union regiment that did not flee.  Known today as St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, it is still a vibrant church serving English, Spanish, and Chinese speaking parishioners.    Our Favorite Irish Pubs - Old and New    This is really a tough one, because there so many great Irish pubs in New York City.   But here are a few of our favorites.  And while you might want to drop in on St. Patrick's Day, we think they're much more enjoyable the other 364 days of the year.   While the food is mediocre and the service is surly, McSorley's Old Ale House, established in 1854, claims it is New York City's oldest continuously operated saloon and is worth a visit.  Everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon have passed thru McSorley's swinging doors.   You'll find it at 15 E 7th Street.   Old Town  at 45 E. 18th,  has also been around since the 19th century,  and along with McSorley's and Chumley's, are the last of the City's speakeasies.  Old Town is a delight with its great tin ceiling,  55-foot mahogany bar,  marble mirrors,  great beer selection, and terrific burgers.  One of our new favorites is Brendan's Bar & Grill (42 W. 35th St) which was an old turn-of-the century hotel that has been beautifully restored. With huge vaulted ceilings, a beautiful bar, good food, and Brendan, the delightful proprietor, you'll feel right at home.  Tell Brendan The Three Tomatoes sent you. Patrick Kavanagh's  at 497 3rd Ave (at 33rd Street) has long been a favorite watering hole of The Three Tomatoes, not 19th century long, but more like 1990's long.  Beers include Guinness on tap and the food, which includes pasta, seafood, and steak, is good too.   Tell Leo who sent you.  And conveniently located near Grand Central at 50 E. 43rd Street, is Annie Moores, a huge two floor extravaganza which features great Shepard pie, awesome burgers and some of the best smoked Irish salmon you'll find anywhere.    May the wind be always at your back,   The Three Tomatoes    Copyright©2007.  The Three Tomatoes.   All rights reserved.

You know you're a tomato if... you'd rather dine in an Italian restaurant, but drink in an Irish pub.  And the beauty of New York City is  they're probably next door. *************  Last week's The Three Tomatoes poll. .most of you agree that New York City is cleaner than it was ten years ago. *************  Vote in this week's poll... How often do you go to the St. Patrick's Day Parade? Go to our home page poll to vote. ************    If you like getting The Three Tomatoes, tell a friend.  They can sign up at our web site. ************* Please help us...if you haven't answered our marketing survey, click here.  It will only take about 5 minutes.  And many thanks to those of you who responded. ************** Need a recipe for Irish Soda Bread?   Or corned beef, or shepards pie, then click here  for these and other Irish recipes. *********** Need an Irish toast or joke? Like, Here's to abstinence - As long as it's practiced in moderation.  Or, To Jameson's Whiskey - A drink that makes you see double and feel single.  Check out Irish Jokes. ************* Walk With Sally We recently found out about this wonderful non-profit organization, Walk With Sally,  that matches children of parents with cancer with qualified adults that have "walked in the same shoes" and experienced the same suffering.  To find out more about this unique mentoring organization, which operates in Southern California, but should be nationwide, please visit their web site. ****************