During March, cuisine from the British Isles gets a moment in the sun, thanks to St. Patrick’s Day. Granted, the sunlight seems to break through the semi-permanent rain clouds only occasionally this time of year, but that suits the St. Patrick’s crowd just fine. Irish food is made for cold, wet weather.
One restaurant taking advantage of the occasion is Yard House, which has a special menu for the entire month. Along with less traditional items like corned beef egg rolls, the chain has created an impressive version of the forever classic shepherd’s pie.
The Yard House version encases savory braised lamb and veggies in a puff pastry shell that resembles a huge empanada, then tops it with a large dollop of mashed potatoes and gravy. It’s an impressive-looking dish for about $12.
The real kicker, though, is the use of lamb in the filling — a much more traditional choice than the commonly seen substitute of ground beef. Thanks to the lamb, the savory pie achieves richness and depth of flavor that you normally wouldn’t associate with a national restaurant chain. It’s a bit of a risk for Yard House, but it certainly pays off.
The shepherd’s pie is a wonderful dish for cold, gray days. Grab a Guinness while you’re at it, and these last days of winter will be a memory in no time.
Atlantic Station, 261 19th St. NW, Atlanta. 404-815-8990 and Battery Atlanta, 825 Battery Ave., Atlanta. 770-675-7640. yardhouse.com.
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