It's St. Patrick's Day All Weekend Long in Patch Country

Maybe you think you aren't as Irish as St. Patrick.

Think again. He was probably a Briton, kidnapped and sent to Ireland who then escaped. He returned in 432, believing he had been called upon to spread the word of God, and became the first Bishop in Ireland.

Too much information? It comes down to this: On March 17, everyone's a little Irish. So, check out the local St. Patrick's Day events and celebrations and will add a hint o' green to your Sunday.

To prepare, we posted a query on our Facebook page asking locals what they would recommend and what their plans were.

Two places, Sally Tomatoes in Rohnert Park and Friar Tuck's in Cotati, were mentioned several times each with enthusiasm.

"I love going to Friar Tucks they put on a great show with bag pipers and all and the food is delicious!" said Kimberley Peterson Roberts, her endorsement echoed by Tammy Martin and Joslyn Armstrong.

Sally Tomatoes was noted  for a "having a reservation only event Saturday from 12:30 to late. It's an all you can eat buffet with a good Irish menu," said Cheleste West. And Gerard Giudice also noted their "mushy minty peas" - I guess you have to try them.

Two people suggested going to San Francisco for the Parade, and Kelly Arnold Clark said, "I eat corned beef and drink a gallon of water all night while my fingers swell." Thanks for that, Kelly.

And we have to hand it to Mary-Rita Mc Elroy Williamson, who seem to have the holiday all figured out:  "Irish soda bread and butter for breakfast, playing Celtic music all day. Colcannon and salmon for dinner. A pint of Harp or Guinness if you've a mind to..... And, certainly the parade in SF! This year it is on Saturday because of the World Baseball Classic. Grab a bite and a pint at the Irish Cultural Center. That is worth it all year long!"

But there's a catch to what's going on at Sally Tomatoes: It's Saturday, March 16, not Sunday. At noon they open their bar & Irish Buffet, open until 8 p.m. for all-you-can-eat corned beef, cabbage and more (meaning mushy minty peas, please) for $9.95. At 7:30 that evening, there will be a showing of the epic John Ford movie about Ireland, "The Quiet Man," starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. And of course they'll be Irish drink specials until closing time.

At Friar Tuck's in Cotati, "It's our day of the year," said Vincent Harding at the bar. "We've been getting ready for two months. We do the family thing all day long, and at night it turns into a big party." They'll open at 10 a.m. (an hour early) and have drink specials all day long, corned beef and cabbage, a bagpiper to serenade and more.

Apparently they do take it seriously: They've got a count-down widget on their website that marks the minutes until the holiday.

Even farther down the Old Redwood Highway, in Penngrove, there's a St. Patrick's Day Dance with Les Amis Zydeco at the Penngrove Pub. If you don't think Zydeco sounds Irish, have another Guinness.

TELL US: What are your St. Patrick's Day plans? Share with us in the comments below. And don't forget to upload a photo of you in your green attire!

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