Brunch at Timothy O'Toole's

The scene: Around St. Patrick’s Day, suddenly everyone craves the most "authentic" Irish pub in town. We’ll tell you up front: Streeterville basement bar Timothy O’Toole’s ain’t it. It’s about as authentic as the plastic "brick" walls covering its interior. So why check it out during the greenest of green seasons? We like the $10 weekend parking special at the Erie Ontario Self Park on the opposite corner. Plus, on Sunday, O’Toole’s kicks off St. Pat’s celebrations with busses ($10 round-trip) running to the South Side Irish parade. (Be sure to call first for last-minute availability.) On March 15, brunch starts two hours early (at 8 a.m.) so you can stop in before the 53rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade (click here for details). On St. Pat’s Day, things kick off even earlier: Get there at 6 a-.m. for an Irish breakfast ($8.99) or by 7 a.m. to receive a chance to win a trip to Ireland—the drawing’s at 8 a.m. And did we mention they’re going to have a leprechaun on hand on March 15 and 17 too? OK, he’s not a real leprechaun, but you can’t hold that against them.

The cuisine: Irish nachos, anyone? Yeah, this heaping platter of fries ($6.99) covered with cheddar, bacon and scallions tells you how "Irish" this place is most of the year. (Actually, they’re pretty good.) But O’Toole’s gets a bit more authentic for St. Pat’s weekend. The $8.99 brunch items are a buck more than the brunch items on a normal weekend, but the menu features something special: a real Irish breakfast with fresh-baked soda bread, rashers, black pudding and the works. If that doesn’t cut it, you can go Nuevo Irish with Guinness French toast and other options (all $8.99).

Better than a bloody mary: The Black List, a selection of Guinness cocktails ($6 each), featuring the famous Irish stout mixed with Harp, cider or even Sprite.

Brunch time: 10 a.m. most weekends; 8 a.m. March 9 and 15; 6 a.m. March 17

Cost: $7.99; $8.99 for Irish brunch available March 14-17

Wait: Get there early; expect a line out the door by 11 a.m. on Mar. 15

[ Chris LaMorte is the Metromix dining producer. ] clamorte@tribune.com