Patch Review: Griffins of Kinsale

South Pasadena's neighborhood Irish pub was smart to set up shop right in the middle of downtown, just a few steps from the Metro Gold Line station. Though historic Mission Street has some fine restaurants, there weren’t many places to grab a drink with friends.

Proprietor Joe Griffin hails from Montreal, though his grandparents were from Ireland, and wanted to recreate a traditional pub feel with no TVs blaring. He’s fitted the long, narrow storefront with a pressed tin ceiling, and furnished the space with a vintage bar, church pew benches and a small stage area in the rear.

There’s live music several nights a week, but Griffin emphasizes that the pub encourages conversation, not noise.

If you haven't been, here's the lowdown. Let us know what you think in comments below.

The people: Griffin is enthusiastic about wanting a cross-section of customers, and is happy so many people are walking to the pub. He said folks in their 80s have stopped in, and we saw a couple with a small baby. As in family businesses worldwide, Griffin’s sons sometimes help out bussing dishes, and he said children are welcome – licensing laws require they don’t come up to the bar itself. Date night couples and groups of twentysomethings are well-represented, and this is no macho beer hall – ladies often seem to outnumber the guys.

The food: Griffins’ chef Andreas Moyer learned his Irish specialties from a little old Irish lady at a previous job, and he seems to have really gotten the hang of the Enchanted Isle. Corn beef and cabbage is tender and clean-flavored, served in a generous portion for $14. Shepherd’s pie, salmon, lamb stew and bratwurst cooked in Guinness make up the rest of the brief but authentic menu – these dishes seem made to go with a pint of ale.  Ask for malt vinegar to give the potato wedges the true pub taste.

The drinks: Irish beer, of course, is the main attraction. Though Griffin has more beer lines in case he wants to expand, for the moment there’s six taps. Guinness is, well, Guinness, while Harp is the familiar Irish lager for lighter tastes. Smithwick’s is a crisp reddish amber ale with a pleasantly bitter finish, while Kilkenny cream ale has a mild taste with caramel notes. Lagunitas IPA will please those who don’t find Irish beers hoppy enough, and draft cider is especially good on a hot day. Also available: a brief wine list, mixed drinks and Irish whiskeys including several Jameson choices.

What to expect: For now, Griffin is getting into the groove of being South Pasadena’s only publican, getting a feel for the area and customer flow. He’s hoping to add historic South Pas  and family photos to the still-bare walls, and foresees opening for lunch down the line. For now, Griffins opens around 5 on weekdays and around 3 on weekends, staying open until the late-for-the-neighborhood hour of midnight.

Pat Saperstein blogs about L.A. and Pasadena restaurants at EatingLA.com.

Patch Asks: Have you been to Griffins of Kinsale? What do you think of the establishment?