Guinness Food Takeover: St Patrick's Day Culinary Adventure Reveals Surprising Winner
St Patrick's Day presented the perfect opportunity to fully immerse myself in the celebrations, moving beyond the typical green attire or a single pint to embrace an entire day dedicated to consuming only Guinness-infused food and drink. As someone who typically prefers cocktails over a dark stout, this was a bold culinary experiment. My curiosity was piqued, especially given my fondness for Guinness punch, a creamy Jamaican cocktail, so I ventured to Market Place Food Hall in Leicester Square for their special Guinness takeover event.
A Diverse Menu of Guinness Creations
The food hall featured an impressive array of Guinness-infused specials across various vendors, allowing me to sample everything from hearty mains to sweet desserts. Contrary to my initial concerns about heaviness, the experience proved surprisingly varied and enjoyable. I quickly learned that Guinness offers far more than just a frothy beverage—it can elevate dishes with rich, complex flavours.
The Standout Dish: Irish Duck Spice Bag
My journey began with Duck Shed's Irish Duck Spice Bag, which immediately set a high standard. While I already enjoy spice bags, the real revelation was the accompanying Guinness-infused curry sauce. This sauce was exceptionally flavourful, rich without being overwhelming, and arguably one of the best curry sauces I have ever tasted. Although I might have preferred chicken strips over duck, this minor note did not detract from the dish's excellence. It emerged as my clear favourite of the day.
Savory Highlights and Visual Quirks
Next, I sampled Mister Lasagna's Guinness Genovese Lasagna, featuring beef marinated in Guinness within a deeply flavoured ragu. This dish was hearty and satisfying, exactly what one expects from a quality lasagna. However, its vibrant green colour might deter those uneasy with unconventional food appearances, though the taste certainly compensated.
Cheeky Burger's offerings included the Don Paddy Guinness Burger and Guinness Animal Fries, a duo I found myself returning to repeatedly. The burger boasted a juicy beef patty, cheese, Guinness onions, rocket, signature Guinness sauce, and crispy onions, complemented by Irish crisps for added crunch. The Guinness onions were particularly noteworthy, offering a depth of flavour beyond simple caramelisation that elevated the entire burger. The fries matched this indulgent feel perfectly.
Sweet Surprises and Refreshing Finishes
For dessert, Crumble Mania's Guinness Crumble delivered a pleasant experience with a well-balanced ratio of crumble to compote, enhanced by a smooth custard. While the Guinness flavour was subtle here, it worked in the dish's favour. Soft Serve Society's Guinness range—featuring a cookie, coffee, and soft serve—provided further variety. The iced Guinness coffee stood out for its smooth, enjoyable flavour, while the soft serve was excellent, and the cookie had a gooey, dough-like texture that was irresistibly moreish.
Conclusion: A Surprisingly Successful Experiment
To conclude in true Irish fashion, I attempted a sip of a pint of Guinness, but quickly reverted to enjoying the stout through food and more palatable drink options. Overall, dedicating St Patrick's Day to Guinness-infused items was an unexpectedly successful and enjoyable venture. If I had to choose just one dish to revisit, the Irish Duck Spice Bag from Duck Shed would be my unequivocal choice, primarily for that exceptional curry sauce. This culinary adventure not only broadened my appreciation for Guinness but also highlighted its versatility beyond the pint glass.
