Mmmm.

Patrick cajoled me into leaving the office for lunch even though I had a perfectly good lunch packed. (Thanks, mom.) It was hard to resist because it was absolutely gorgeous -- 70s and sunny with a gentle breeze.

I proposed that I take my lunch and my little portable picnic blanket, which I have been taking into the office for just this occasion, and he could buy a sub at Jimmy John's. But he wasn't in the mood for a sub. He suggested Thai, but I wasn't in the mood.

We walked along the downtown streets in mild disagreement until I spotted Foran's Irish Pub, and said, "Let's go there sometime after work." Patrick said, "How about now?"

What a great find.

It's a charming little place with a wooden bar. I also love that they support local grocers and vendors. (That's good for my carbon footprint.)

Patrick had a black raspberry Faygo soda along with his Better Made chips and burger. Foran's also uses Avalon bread (I still have to blog about this) and other foods from Eastern Market. Bell's and other Michigan beers were on tap.

The 128-year-old building has been many a thing, including "a ticket office for the Grand Trunk Railway System, which laid the oldest railroad tracks in Detroit," according to a story in the Detroit News.

That's all nice and well, you say. But how was the food, right? Well, hold your horses. I'm getting there.

I was just about to say that the food was awesome. In how many Irish pubs do you find a burger with avacado and tomato-basil aioli? Not many, I would guess. Yum! I had a burger, too, if you must know. Next time, I can't wait to wash it down with a good ol' Michigan beer.