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Lunch of the Month: The Field

Traditional Irish fare meets delicious comfort food at this award-winning Irish pub, located in the Gaslamp District.  The Field has earned the “Best Pub” Gold Medallion award from the California Restaurant Association two years in a row, and as now known nationwide as home of American Idol finalist and former waitress and bartender Carly Smithson. 

The Field’s lunch menu features a variety of classic dishes, including Guinness beef stew, a corned beef sandwich, and an all-day Irish breakfast.  On our most recent lunch at The Field, my dining partners and I sampled some of the restaurant’s signature dishes.  I chose the fish and chips, touted as the pub’s most popular dish, which came with an ample portion of Guinness beer-battered and fried Atlantic Cod and homemade chips (we recommend the cheddar cheese sauce on the side for dipping).  The dish was surprising light and flaky for being battered and fried. 

One of my colleagues sampled the tasty and filling Shepherd’s Pie, a baked concoction of ground beef with diced carrots, onions, celery and peas topped with champ (mashed potatoes), while the other chose a vegetarian option, the vegetable boxty.   The vegetable boxty is a variation of the traditional Irish dish, with a light, homemade potato pancake wrapped around seasonal vegetables and cheese and topped with a choice of white wine, curry or butter sauce.  The boxty again proved to be a surprisingly light yet filling dish, and a perfect option for those looking for vegetarian or lighter fare.

We also sampled the Potato Leek Soup, a creamy blend of white potatoes and fresh leeks, and the Bailey’s cheesecake, a delicious dessert offering with Bailey’s Irish Liqueur and creamy vanilla custard.  Service was quick and friendly, and the menu offers both regular and “mini” size portions, reasonable pricing, and plenty of vegetarian options.  The Field’s casual and inviting pub ambiance is quiet enough for conversation, and the convenient downtown location makes this restaurant perfect for a business meeting.  We would recommend The Field to anyone looking for a great place to host a lunch, or just looking for unique and traditional Irish pub fare. 

The Field is located at 544 Fifth Avenue between Market Street and Island Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp District.  Visit them online at www.thefield.com.