> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Finn McCool's Brings a Dublin-Style Irish Pub to Santa Monica
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/get-a-life-20040423/
- Published: 2004-04-23T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T23:55:15.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Westwood, #archive-import

*A Nightlife, That Is”*

*By THOMAS YOUNG & MAUREEN TOBIN Special to the Daily Press*

■ Once upon a time, Finn McCool’s in Santa Monica, was but a dream of Gerri Gilliland, the daughter of an Irish pub owner. In a lush green land rich in history, where myth and reality sometimes merge into one and music, dance, food and drink make the heart sing, you will find Ireland. Gilliland’s father retired after a generation of owning a pub in Ireland. It’s where Gilliland learned to pull pints of Guinness before she was 10\. She answered her vision by shipping the whole kit and caboodle — timber by timber to Santa Monica, where Finn McCool’s was born in February of 2002 and is Irish to the bone, right down to the teak bar, chairs and cushions. One of LA’s most impressive personas, Gilliland is a chef, teacher, author, caterer and restaurateur, with many successful restaurant establishments under her belt. She is the co-author of “Grills & Greens,” a cookbook nominated for the honorable James Beard Award.

Zagat rated, Finn McCool’s is downright Irish charming and you’ll find a clientele that calls Finn’s their “local” hangout and for good reason. Grab a bite and a pint, socialize with friends, meet new ones and enjoy delightful Irish musicians performing traditional ballads.

Ninety-eight of the staff is genuine Irish. David Caughey, the general manager, was imported from Ireland not long ago and he has more than enough charisma and smarts to keep Finn McCool’s hopping at all times. Get ready for a big menu. Besides traditional Irish faire, there is a large selection of other items to satisfy all food-palette tastes. The corned beef and cabbage is served with their own delicious cured corned beef and is served brimming over the plate. The “All Day Irish Breakfast,” which overflows with Irish bacon, sausage, Irish potato cakes, sautéed mushrooms, eggs, and Irish soda bread is enough to make the real man in you happy. For dessert, we shared the bread pudding soaked in Irish whiskey. Wicked. There is a full selection of imported beers and an impressive selection of world drinks. A universal crowd of all ages consider this their special meeting place. On a Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. this place was packed, by 6 p.m. it was jammed. Irish music plays on Sunday at 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday at 8 p.m. to about 11 p.m. On Sunday, the musicians sit around a big booth playing, performing their favorites. Singer and songwriter Damian Joyce entertains Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. P.J. Smith and Simon & Sid perform for your pleasure on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. Comedy happens on the second Monday of every month. Finn McCool’s serves from noon every day. www.gerrigilliland.com. 2700 Main St., (310) 452-1734\. ■ Westwood conjures up images of a hubbub of shops and shopping, first-run movies, eats, bookstore browsing, people watching, UCLA, and the Gardens On Glendon. Here are instructions for dealing with Westwood. Get there. Park. Plan your time so that when you escape the crowds and duck into the Gardens On Glendon, it is the last thing you do that evening. This is a place you will want to linger and loiter. Life moves fast in Los Angeles, so you will desire to be in a place where time stops for a moment.

Superbly situated, luxurious yet unpretentious, the Gardens On Glendon beckon with its verdant backdrop and magical setting. Everyone loves it here from entertainment and business barons to students, voyeurs, celebrities, locals and travelers. It’s no wonder. This is a Marilyn and Harry Lewis place. They are the founders/creators of the Hamburger Hamlets and consistently have the golden touch. Are you planning a party? Do it here, it’s sure to impress. Many famous people have their soirees here. The menu at Gardens on Glendon is all American comfort and California cuisine with an excellent wine selection. Each and every dish has the masters’ blessing. But part of the baton is being passed to the manager Adam Lewis who has the same demanding standards and incurable enthusiasm as his parents. For starters, try the sardines bruschetta. How many fine restaurants do you know that serve sardines? They are so fresh and delightful. You could easily make a meal on the tasty appetizers. You must try the guacamole, made tableside, of course. Baby-back pork ribs anyone? Look around to make sure that no one is watching, then lick every juicy morsel off the bones and your fingers. The grilled spicy salmon is an incurable treat, some of the best salmon we’ve ever had. Fish and chips anyone? Not in any way ordinary. A light, creamy ending to all this divinity is the silken-sweet rice pudding. The Gardens is sumptuous, yet very comfortable and therein lies its secret. You just won’t want to leave. It’s that good. Open every day for lunch and dinner, and Sunday brunch. www.gardensonglendon.com. 1139 Glendon Ave., (310) 824-1818\. (E-mail your comments or suggestions to, and keep having fun).

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 23, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/042304.pdf?ref=smdp.com)