Finnegans rules
I love Finnegans Wake because they pour a great pint, plus Louise is cool.    [20 Mar 2003 01:27:45]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: guinness

     ­Mark Kenney   sunburn35 at attbi dot com

Finnegan's Wake and Pub Is a True Find
A truly attractive, warm, down-to-earth, cozy restaurant, Finnegan's Wake is located in the lower level of a former foundry in a remote section of downtown Walpole, Mass.

Irish native Tom Kirwin, with his gracious demeanor and pleasing Irish accent, and Walpole native Kristen Smith (also the master chef) are long-time restaurateurs with a knack for turning our great lunch and dinner selections. Kirwin owned the former Kirwin's Kitchen, a classic Walpole breakfast and lunch place where Smith waitressed. Several years ago, Kirwin decided to close Kirwin's, and with Smith opened Finnegan's Wake around the corner. No "luck of the Irish" was needed here; Smith and Kirwin forged ahead to bring an authentic, high quality Irish restaurant with lots of character to Walpole from day one.

Finnegan's Wake's greatest offerings are a delicious Guinness beef pie, with fish and chips, shepard's pie and roast turkey and of course, a wide variety of beers and ales that would not look out of place in Ireland. For appetizers, the Irish potato pizza has an addictive full body taste, courtesy of fresh potato skins, peppers, tomatoes, scallions and blended cheeses. Desserts include a brownie ala mode bursting with authentic fudge sauce. The soups and salads are fresh (great French onion soup, clam chowder and Caesar salads) and the warm, homemade rolls suggest great things to come before the arrival of the main entrees. Service is always pleasant; judging from the friendliness of the wait and bar staff, they really seem to enjoy working in the attractive and cozy setting.

The atmosphere is indeed memorable. The dining room has high ceilings, soft lighting, soothing yellow and gold tones, subtle candle light at night, huge stylish wooden booths, Irish memorabilia lining the mantle above the high walls and exposed brick walls perfectly married with handsome dark wood. The bar area sports living room comfort with large screen televisions, comfortable tables and wall to wall rugs, mirrors and more dark wood and occasional entertainment (one or two singers at a time) to create the pub you've dreamed about but never quite found.

Finnegan's Wake is a nice escape from the hectic pace of Boston. It is the perfect dining getaway in a town with a high Irish population that knows it Irish food. They know Finnegan's Wake to be the "real thing," a place close to home that exceeds in quality and ambiance many of the high end Irish restaurants and pubs in Boston.    [14 Apr 2006 00:04:26]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Guinness beef pie, shepherd's pie, roast turkey

     ­Eric H., VisitingNewEngland.com -- http://www.visitingnewengland.com