By Dr. Ink
Is it any wonder that Irish-born writer and poet Oscar Wilde has drinking establishments named after him all over the world? Known to be an avid boozer, he once professed: “I drink to separate my body from my soul.”
Oh Oscar, I hear ya.
Equally fitting is that his spirit has descended on Hillcrest, with the recent arrival of Oscar Wilde’s Irish Gastropub. By all accounts, Wilde was a bisexual who challenged society’s narrow views on sexuality — and during the Victorian Era no less. Sadly, he was imprisoned for indecency and afterwards spent the last few years of his life in exile.
Cheerier commemorations of the literary legend are in store at the pub, situated practically under the Hillcrest Pride Flag in the original home of Gossip Grill before it moved down the street.
During daily happy hour, you can land a pint of Harp or Guinness for $5. Or if you prefer sticking to U.S. territory, then Saint Archer, Ballast Point, Bud Light and other domestics are in the offing for the same price. Toss out another $5 and you can pair your suds with any burger listed on the regular menu.
Well cocktails and house wines are available for $4, and so is Jameson Irish Whiskey, which Wilde would likely agree better expedites the separation of body from soul.
I ordered it on the rocks. A couple sitting next to me at the bar chose theirs as shots. Judging from before my ice started melting; I no doubt got the bigger pour from the fast-moving bartender who ran a play list of ’90s music on this late afternoon.
Several snacky items are discounted as well, including “spun spuds” (house chips) and potato wedges served with house-made ketchup infused with Jameson.
“We infuse booze into a lot of things here,” the bartender said in reference to glazes, gravies and sauces containing beer or spirits. Indeed, the regular menu titillates with plenty of swooped-up pub fare that will warrant a lunch, brunch or dinner visit down the road.
The $2 potato wedges I ordered were cooked to a dark finish, not quite burnt but extra crispy with moist, pulpy centers. The ketchup was both sweet and tangy, although I couldn’t detect the whiskey in it.
Then came a round of fruity rum shots for the entire bar, which is something I don’t see occur so much these days. It wasn’t clear who bought them, but we all toasted to nothing in particular and down they went.
Missing from Oscar Wilde’s are the design elements of a classic Irish pub. There are no paned windows, no heavy woods and no Celtic appointments. But a welcoming air pervades throughout the patio, bar and dining areas. And Wilde isn’t forgotten.
Written on a chalkboard near the bar are quotes from him that change periodically. On this day it read: “Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination – O.W.”
Ouch to those of us who flock to bars for the drink bargains in an effort to not overspend.
