Something Irish

Irish Soda Bread: Traditional Irish soda bread, leavened with baking soda, has a soft crumb and an appealing buttermilk tang at Gilliland’s in Santa Monica, where you can also enjoy upscale Irish dishes such as a Kilkenny potato and onion tart, an Irish stew made with beef, stout, parsnips and rutabagas and classic Northern Irish breakfasts. Gilliland’s, 2424 Main St., Santa Monica, (310) 392-3901.

* Irish Coffee: The obvious choice is Tom Bergin’s, the “House of Irish Coffee,” where a closely guarded brand of brewed coffee is fortified with Jamieson whiskey and freshly whipped cream ($4.50). Try Bergin’s popular corned beef and cabbage while you’re there ($10.75). Tom Bergin’s, 840 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 936-7151.

* Irish Stout: For a great collection of Irish brews, bottled and on tap (including Guinness, Harp and Murphy’s stout) plus all the Irish whiskeys, visit O’Brien’s in Santa Monica, the Westside’s only Irish-owned and -operated bar. Chase these lively spirits with a plate of Irish stew, bangers and mash, or shepherd’s pie (all $6.95). O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 2226 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 829-5303.

* Irish Breakfast Tea: The Coffee Roaster in Sherman Oaks makes its own full-bodied and cheering blend from a hearty broken-leafed Assam and two other teas. The Coffee Roaster, 13567 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 905-9717.

* Irish Breakfast: On weekend mornings, the Irish Times offers a traditional Irish breakfast of eggs with bangers, Irish bacon, black and white pudding, brown bread, soda bread, grilled mushrooms and tomatoes ($7.50). Irish Times, 3267 Motor Ave., Culver City, (310) 559-9648.

* Irish Steel Cut Oatmeal: A big bowl of McCann’s steel cut oatmeal, either plain ($3.75) or with fruit ($4.80) is a house specialty at the redoubtable John O’Groats. 10516 W. Pico Blvd., Rancho Park, (310) 204-0692

* Irish Cheeses: Irish cheeses include a sharp farmhouse cheddar and a smoky gubeen from County Cork; Cashel, a mild, crumbly farmhouse blue cheese; the semisoft, golden Ardrahan; and Blarney, a cow’s milk Swiss-type cheese: all of which can be found at the Cheese Store. 419 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 278-2855.

* Irish Groceries: For 34 years, Annie and Richard Jones’ Irish Import Shop in Hollywood has supplied the Irish community with Odlum’s whole meal for traditional Irish breads (2 kilos for $4.50), Irish bacon ($4.20 per half pound) and sausages--white and black (blood) puddings ($2.60 per half pound). Irish Import Shop, 738 N. Vine St., Los Angeles, (213) 467-6714.