Duke of Perth for Robert Burns Day?

Since my grandmother was a Maclay and my birthday falls on Robert Burns Day, I've always wanted to attend an authentic Robert Burns Day dinner. This year, emboldened by my recent LTH experiences with challenging foods, I resolve finally to celebrate with haggis. (No Scotch, though, thank you. I find Irish whiskey the only tolerable spirit). Has anyone been to The Duke of Perth on Jan 25th? Or can anyone recommend another source for haggis? Nothing canned, please. If worst comes to worst, I could make a trip to Peoria Packing and make it myself. Still, the whole "reeking" thing might be a disincentive, what with a closed-up winterized house and all.

Haggis is a favorite of mine. Are you sure Duke of Perth will have it?

And, if you're into haggis-making, I'd be happy to help - I have several haggis recipes. Although I'm not sure all the ingredients are readily available - I know that, several years ago, when the Chicago Hilton made an authentic haggis, the only way they could get some of the ingredients from Scotland through US Customs was to have them labeled "fertilizer."

Have you ever been to The Feast of The Haggis, sponsored by the Illinois St. Andrews Society every year in early November? (I'm from Clan Keith, aka "Violent Men of Action" - but anyone who's met me already knows that.)

Or, here's another alternative for a haggis dinner near your b'day.

HI,

Wouldn't you know it, Antonius post on Haggis et al was written last January 25th.

If you do a search using the keyword <haggis>, you will find 17 matches such as this.

Regards,

HI,

You may want to contact The Red Lion Pub who may make haggis on special occasions. Or may just as well advise where to obtain it.

More on haggis

Regards,

Thanks C2 and nr706 for your haggis help. I had done a search and read Antonius' previous posts. One litte bit of trivia that I picked up in an ancient issue of Saveur is that haggis is related to a Breton dish of meats and oatmeal baked in cheesecloth called "couigh ha farz" (I think that's the spelling, but my Breton is rusty). Maybe I'll hit the Jan 21st event if I can get some poor sucker to go with me. (It wouldn't be all bad, the bonus would be a double share of Scotch, since I can't stomach the stuff and any ill effects might be blamed on the haggis rather than the ETOH) Should I decide to try a DIY haggis, I already have a freezer full of offal, thanks to my squeamish friends who buy whole organic animals and cast off the scary bits. The lungs I could obtain from my brother (no sale, therefore legal) but there must be a good reason they are illegal. Jeff Smith's version seems pretty accessible. All I need now is a sheep's stomach. This is sounding like fun, maybe I'll take the plunge. Will someone loan me a ceremonial dagger?

Is Jeff Smith a Scot? Is that what's behind his nickname?

Josephine wrote:Will someone loan me a ceremonial dagger?

Well, I happen to have a sgian dubhs here on Dempster Street ...

There is a Burns Night Supper at Martyrs on Lincoln Ave on the 23rd. It was started by an Irish theatre group, but many Scots, including the owner of the Duke, I believe, are involved with it.
Martyrs makes a mean haggis, and the whisky toasts are plentiful. It is a great, casual Burns supper.

I've just learned that the Globe Pub will be holding a full-on Robert Burns supper, including "real" haggis. It doesn't appear to be listed on their website (http://theglobepub.com/) yet, but there were detailed flyers posted inside the pub.

Just got some more info.--sounds like a great time:

[i][b]Wednesday 25th January - 7pm
Burns Night ! [/b][/i]
You are cordially invited to a Robert Burns Supper on Wednesday 25th January 2006 at 7pm. Enjoy real Haggis, Tatties and Neeps as you Toast the Haggis, Lassies and of course, The Immortal Memory with a fine scotch.

All around the World, Burns Suppers are held to recite his Poems and to sing his Songs. Born January 25th 1759, he wrote an amazing amount of poetry, songs and music, some of which will be performed on the night.

There will also be a Bagpiper on hand, to Pipe in the Haggis!!

There will be no cover charge but we will accept, in lieu, a donation to charity. Casual or Kilt atire.

For further details speak to our bar staff or send an email to inquiries@theglobepub.com

Thanks to Cathy2, alessio20, and nr706 for excellent suggestions. Unfortunately, I've discovered that my friends are less enthusiatic than I anticipated about trying the haggis. In fact, there seem to have been many sudden conversions to vegetarianism. However, I will not be deterred. Right now, I'm thinking about the Globe Dinner on the 25th. Sometime in February, I will serve the home-made haggis to my most loyal pals. Guided by Cathy2's stellar instincts, I have already solved what I thought would be the biggest problem: finding a sheep stomach. Last night, C2 and I discovered a halal butcher on Devon that has sheep stomach every day for $1.99/lb. They have a great price on sweetbreads, too: $5.99/lb. (Hammond take note). My regular butcher charges more than two times that price, and they are only available in 5 lb. bags, frozen.

Farm City Market
Fresh Halal Meat
Mon-Sat 9-9
Sun 9-8
2255 W. Devon
Chicago, IL 60659
(773)274-2255

But where do you get the sheep lungs?

nr706--

Fair enough question. I refer you to my comments above. Granted, it may be naive of me to assume that the FDA has my best interests at heart in banning the sale of lungs (and believe me, I do not hold this view with regard to the FBI/NSA as a guardian of my civil rights). However, I am willing to make some concessions in pursuit of not having to eat the entire damn thing by myself!

More Burns information with links to other burning posts!

Josephine wrote: Still, the whole "reeking" thing might be a disincentive, what with a closed-up winterized house and all.

"Reeking" means steaming or smoking. Hence, Edinburgh was once known as "Old Reekie," because of the smoke coming from all the chimneys. So don't let the word put you off. Haggis is great. It's kind of like a cross between pate and sloppy joe.

The best haggis I've ever had was what they used to serve at the Conrad Hilton when the Illinois St. Andrew's Society had their Feast of the Haggis there every November. I'd love to get their recipe.

And by the way, happy birthday, Josephine. You don't happen to write poetry, do you?

Thanks, Cynthia. I'm afraid my poetry these days is limited to the magnetic variety on the refrigerator. What rhymes with haggis?

Josephine wrote:Thanks, Cynthia. I'm afraid my poetry these days is limited to the magnetic variety on the refrigerator. What rhymes with haggis?

How about "magus" -- it's the singular of magi -- a member of the Zoroastrian priestly caste of the Medes and Persians, and related to our word "magic." Although making the Persia-Scotland connection might be difficult.

Or perhaps animagus -- from Harry Potter? Hmm, food-related: haggis might make a nice new flavor for Bertie Botts.