Beef Stew, Photo Credit: Sarah Adamson

Finnegan's Irish Pub

24102 W Lockport St

Plainfield, IL 60544

815-733-5177

Finnegan's Will Have You Dancing a Jig -- and Not Just Because of the Pumpkin Pie Martinis

The Scoop- Total Dining Experience: ★★★½ out of 4

Entering this lavishly autumn-themed restaurant one can't help but get in the mood to dance an Irish jig right into fall, and its season-based menu is the perfect match.

Located at the corner of Lockport and Des Plaines streets in downtown Plainfield, Finnegan's Irish Pub is a convenient dining spot for before or after running those endless errands and you won't have a problem finding a parking space.

To begin with, how about a pumpkin pie martini? They can't be serious -- in a pub? They are at Finnegan's, and their specialty drink was a big hit with me. It's not easy to distinguish all of the flavors, but the cinnamon and nutmeg certainly stood out. Imagine a pumpkin pie milkshake, topped with whipped cream, and you'll have some idea of what this concoction is like.

The exact recipe is a secret, although Kahlua and pumpkin spice liquor are two of the ingredients. Well worth the $8 price tag. Finnegan's is also known for its extensive beer menu, and claim to have the largest selection in the western suburbs. With more than 200 to choose from, the task can be daunting. No worries here ! as the servers undergo extensive training and are required to pass a test similar to that of a wine sommelier.

We also sampled the Wild Onion pumpkin ale beer and found it to be utterly delightful. And while we couldn't resist trying one of the beer flights, too -- tangerine wheat is one of their best sellers so we coupled that with a milkstout and autumn ale -- the pumpkin ale was still the hands-down favorite.

Finnegan's opened two years ago and strives for a mix of unique and flavorful. One of the house specials is the steak chili, which features five kinds of Wagner Farm's chilies, large pieces of tender steak, stewed tomatoes and a rich dark Guinness sauce. It's topped with cheddar cheese and green onions. This is the perfect fall food, and well-priced at $5 for a cup and $9 for a bowl. This chili is more like a hearty stew, as the steak is a great addition. One word: delicious.

For another appetizer, we chose the the spinach and artichoke hearts dip, which is topped with grated Parmesan cheese and served with tortilla chips. The mixture was a bit on the thin side and would have been better had the flavor been a bit more robust. A medium-sized order is $9.

We also tried the beef tip stew, which is served with skinny green beans (also known as haricot vert or filet beans) and mashed potatoes. The beef was tender and the gravy spiked with that distinctive Guinness taste. A pleasingly savory, hearty meal, not to mention large, and well worth $13.

If mom's roast beef is what you have a taste for, Finnegan's will not disappoint. This, too, came with skinny beans as well as half-sliced potatoes. A good-sized meal that made its $15 cost a true value.

The ambiance of the restaurant is romantic, with little white lights and upscale seasonal decorating, and it gets high marks in my book. But, men, please don't let that keep you away from this place because it's just as much a guys' hangout.

The chief decor feature is dark wood, and black linen napkins dot the restaurant's booths and tables. The downstairs dining room seats about 70, and they can fit just about as many in the upstairs library and extra bar area. Live entertainment is provided on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

I'm already planning a return in December so I can sample their gingerbread martini, view the Christmas decorations and see what creations Finnegan's has dreamed up for the holidays.

Sarah Adamson© October 21, 2010