Vegan polenta: Mark Davis

Vegan polenta: Mark Davis

The popular Irish pub satisfies veggie lovers, too.

Trinity Hall Irish Pub in Mockingbird Station, which offers both vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free menus, is an example of a growing effort on the part of local restaurateurs to serve our neighborhood’s pickiest eaters without turning off the meat-and-potatoes (or, in Trinity’s case, bangers-and-mash) crowd.

It initially had to do with the bottom line, Trinity owner Marius Donnelly says, noting that it started with the gluten-free movement. The associated level of ingredient awareness has motivated people to look more closely at what they consume.

“As our staff as well as guests became more concerned with what they are eating, we noticed an increased demand for vegan menu items.”

Vegan and gluten-free diners can better trust an establishment that offers a specialized menu, he says.

[quote align=”right” color=”#000000″]“As our staff as well as guests became more concerned with what they are eating, we noticed an increased demand for vegan menu items.”[/quote]

“A kitchen that doesn’t do vegan, for example, might use chicken stock for everything; one of the big changes we made involved switching to a flavorful vegetable-based stock.”

It also is more efficient for the staff to prepare familiar items, as opposed to arranging off-menu dishes. Donnelly and his team, including chef Oscar Gutierrez, exude enthusiasm regarding their from-scratch Ireland-inspired fare, the vegan/vegetarian menu progression and the constant evolution of the overall menu to meet their discerning diners’ desires. From the hummus and veggie platter to the pearled couscous with oil-and-garlic pan-finished vegetables and the aesthetic vegan polenta and beans, the vegan dishes are hearty and healthy. Even non-vegans who simply want to eat healthier and lighter enjoy these meatless creations, says Donnelly, a native of Dublin, Ireland.

The pub, also revered for its small-town atmosphere and ale selection, has partnered with Barnivore to showcase vegan beers. The brewing process sometimes involves the use of fish gills, egg whites or other animal products, Donnelly explains, so now vegans can guiltlessly consume craft beer along with the rest of the crowd.

Trinity Hall Irish Pub

5321 E. Mockingbird (Mockingbird Station)
214.887.3600

AMBIANCE Irish pub
PRICES $6-$15
HOURS 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. daily

 Three more spots for pub-style grub

 1 Cindi’s New York Deli and Bakery
Get the Reuben sandwich, which consists of Swiss cheese and sauerkraut atop thin, moist layers of fresh corned beef, pastrami or turkey. Russian dressing is served on the side, so you can add as much or as little as you want.
11111 N Central, Suite G
214.739.0918

2 Neighborhood Services Bar and Grill
The chicken fricassee potpie, with its flaky herbed cheddar crust, and the tavern fish and chips both satisfy the craving for hearty pub food.
10720 Preston, Suite 1101
214.368.1101

3 Gordon Biersch
Choose a pint from the nice selection of draft beer and try the turkey-and-wild-mushroom meatloaf. Ground turkey is blended with shiitake and button mushrooms and served with vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes and beer gravy.
8060 Park, Suite 125
214.369.2739