The Wing in Review: The Kinsale

Irish Disneyland meets TGI McIrish meets the Irish Cheesecake factory is what we smugly mumbled under our breath when were seated in the main dining section of the Kinsale. With its textured fantasy style yellow and orange wall-paint, murals and crests the Kinsale does not let you forget “This is for real Irish….’esque.”

For a Wednesday night in an office building in the heart of Government Center the Kinsale was surprisingly busy. Everyone from students to families to office workers and townies were kicking back and enjoying treats from the the Kinsale’s large and varied menu. The service itself was exceptionally good, and the Kinsale features both live music as well as a trivia night so there is a little something for everyone.

Once our Irish Bar cattiness subsided a bit and someone pointed out that, “Every Irish Bar in Boston is striving to be the real thing and no matter how much street cred some claim to have they are all in a way faking the funk,” we were able to relax bit and get dow not down to business. At the end of the day there is only one thing we care about and that is Buffalo wings. Whether we’re dining with aristocrats at L‘Espalier or with beach bums in a clam shack, if the wings are good, we will eat them.

The Kinsale features: “Galway” wings, plump and tender wings tossed with choice of BBQ, Buffalo (Buffalo served with a side of bleu cheese dressing) or Asian sauces. The wings are garnished with carrots and celery.
One Pound $8.50
Two Pounds $16
One Pound (Boneless) $9.50
Two Pounds (Boneless) $18

So how do the Kinsale’s Buffalo wings stack up? Overall ok… Check to check minus? Presentation was great on a nice plate with both carrots and celery. The wings were well proportioned although a bit on the dry side (which I actually liked)… the wing sauce itself is what caused the wings to be mediocre. The sauce appeared to have less butter than it needed and almost no or very little Cayenne ( i.e. no heat). So out of Holy Trinity (Butter, Cayenne, Vinegar) these wings were just representing vinegar. Also the blue cheese which had promise was a bit on the runny side.

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Pros: The wings might be “meh” to “feh” but The truffle oil tatter tots are well worth the trip. Overall the food at the Kinsale is above par and with great service and selection.

Cons: The wings lack heat, lack butter, lack oompfh.