The Mighty Festival has returned to Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at Disney Springs and guests can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live music and entertainment and a delicious menu of festive food and beverage.
I was invited to the popular restaurant this past weekend to try a few new menu items.
New on the menu this year is a locally crafted seltzer, called “So Berry Les.” The name is a special tribute to John Cooke’s (co-owner of Raglan Road Pub and Cooke’s of Dublin) father Les, who found himself in the Guinness Book of World Records for setting a strawberry-buying record in 1977. So Berry Les was crafted in collaboration with Crooked Can Brewing Co. in Winter Garden, Florida. It is a light and refreshing hard seltzer infused with local Florida strawberry and Key Lime juice.
The second drink is a must for those who like creative cocktails. The "Paddy’s Mighty", consisting of Dingle Gin, muddled cucumber, basil simple, lemon juice and egg white. It's quite refreshing, and it packs a punch.
A recent menu addition is the "Now You’re Talkin’ Chicken Sandwich". (Made with fried buttermilk chicken breast, hot sauce, scallions, shredded pickle slaw, truffle aioli and grated parmesan). Quite possibly, the best chicken sandwich I have ever had!
It’s hardly a trip to Raglan Road without their famous fresh-caught fish with chips! (Pro tip: You can also order fish & chips to go at the Cooke’s of Dublin counter). The fish and chips can also be ordered as gluten free; although at this time there is a supply issue. As an alternative you can get the fish broiled or talk to the chef about a variation of the scallop dish.
Or choose from a tasty selection of authentic Irish dishes like the Shepherd’s to Die for Pie and Executive Chef Mark O’Neill’s popular plant-based pie, This Shepherd Went Vegan. (Made with Faro barley, carrots, wild mushrooms, green onion, peans and rutabaga; topped with olive oil mashed potato with a burnt onion gravy). All of which pair beautifully with their wide range of Irish whiskeys, local craft beers and hand-crafted cocktails.
If you’ve ever walked by Raglan Road and heard the music floating through the open doors, you know they know how to provide an amazing entertainment lineup. And for the festival this year, they are flying in some of the top bands from Ireland including Jig Jam, known for their captivating brand of CeltGrass; the Lisa Canny Band, blending pop and hip-hop with traditional Irish rhythm; Emerald Shore, vibrant trad music – just to name a few. Of course, the fan-favorite Raglan Road Irish Dancers will also be performing throughout the festival and are ready to teach you a few dance steps!
And the fun doesn’t stop there! There will also be a face painter, giveaways, merchandise at the Shop for Ireland boutique and more.
On March 17 Raglan Road will open at 10 a.m., seating guests on a first-come, first-served basis, with a $20 cover charge for guests 18 and older. For those planning to celebrate during the other festival dates from March 11-16, reservations are encouraged and can be made through the My Disney Experience app or by calling 407-938-0300.
