LET'S EAT--Four Courts-Arlington, VA.

Even in the AM there’s the lingering aroma of beer, but not the stale beer of bottles left from the night before. Rather it is a fresh, attractive pungency that makes walking into Four Courts a pleasure.

Four Courts is a beautiful Irish Pub in Arlington, VA. It is a dark, wainscoted place where the walls are painted dark green. Hanging above the long, heavy bar are the mugs of regular customers. Signs reading Cead Mile Failte!, a hundred thousand welcomes, are in beautiful stained glass dividing the bar area from the pub area. Cheery Irish music plays in the background, and I can’t help smiling. There are great posters on the walls, my favorite being one saying accompanying an obviously sympathetic and listening bartender: “You’re in good hands. Your publican is a professional.” Beats the Allstate commercials by a mile!

At one end of the room is a fireplace. The area is decorated with dark, heavy woods, sofas and tables. This is the James Joyce room. On the wall is a plaque in honor of four magnificent Irish writers: Brendan Behan, Sean O’Casey, John Millington Synge, and James Joyce—playwrights and novelists extraordinaire. If I were coming in for the evening, this is exactly where I’d want to sit. As it is, we are here for a traditional Irish breakfast.

Just a quick aside; I’ve been here before and can absolutely vouch for the artichoke and crab dip, the Shepherd’s pie, and the Irish lamb stew. The menu is extensive and caters to any taste and any meal. There's music and entertainment throughout the year, and an Irish harp accompanies Sunday Brunch. Wonderful.

How does Four Courts define a traditional Irish Breakfast? It consists of two eggs cooked to your liking with Irish sausages, rashers, black and white pudding and served with O’Brien potatoes. It’s hearty, and it’s delicious. Rashers is a kind of bacon, very tasty. I think you should google black and white pudding; it’s good, but you may be wary of the ingredients of a real traditional pudding. I don’t know Four Courts’ recipe.

At any rate, this was a different breakfast in a different setting. Do go to their website. It’s attractive, and if you’re anywhere near this restaurant, you’ll see it is worth a visit.