Dining in large groups can be a real pain, so it's good to always have a spot in your back pocket you can rely on when the need arises. I like bringing groups together at Shawn O'Donnell's because it feels like they designed the place with parties of all sizes in mind. From the inner and outer waiting areas to the huge booths in back, family outings are covered. Couples and groups of four get the booths along the windows, and if you're by yourself, pull up a seat at the bar. 

But I won't recommend a restaurant just because of logistics; the food has to be good, too. Shawn O'Donnell's is smart to have a mix of Irish choices alongside standard pub food, something to please everyone. For breakfast, I'm a big fan of The Full Irish, which includes rasher bacon, an Irish banger, and scrambled eggs alongside grilled tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, O'Brien potatoes, and soda farl (an Irish biscuit). It and other interesting Irish options are available as well as more classic options like French toast, eggs Benedict, and corned beef hash.

During a recent lunch, my friend Lisa's and my orders couldn't have been more different. Of course we started with their soda bread, which we demolished right away and ordered more of when lunch arrived.

Lisa took a break from her normal kale smoothie lunch with the classic solid room temperature version, a salad. Her Emerald Isle Chicken Salad has a nice variety of greens with strawberries, blueberries, dried cranberries, candied nuts, plus the perfect amount of balsamic vinaigrette. An expertly-cooked and sliced piece of chicken and some apple slices were on top, and it all tasted great together. Of course my immediate thought was that it could use some cheese, but both of their other salad options have cheese so one being available without makes sense.

I wanted to try something heartier from the theme portion of the menu, so I went with Irish Meatloaf. It's made with beef and lamb and has a nice layer of crunchy bacon on the outside, plus a tasty gravy that's not overpowering, and crisp fried onions on top. The Colcannon potatoes on the side are creamy and cheesy, with a little bit of cabbage for a nice texture you don't get from plain smooth mashed potatoes. No need for gravy on them at all, either. The seasonal vegetables that day were green beans, rounding out a delicious plate that left me satisfied, but not stuffed.

If you're in the mood for a drink, their whiskey, beer, and theme cocktail lists are very impressive. And they're right by a stop on the Swift Green Line if you'd like those to be the focus of your visit. They also have just two dessert options, and now that I'm home reading about the Irish bread pudding on their website, I'm a little sad we had such a sensible, restrained lunch. 

SHAWN O'DONNELL'S
122 128TH ST. SE
(425) 338-5700

Christopher Bragg works from home in Everett and loves walking, swimming, and cats. You can find him all over town, but only if you keep weird hours and avoid crowds like he does.