Barbara’s Bits & Bites: Mixing food and politics in Costa Mesa

One reason I enjoy this food column is I get to discover and rediscover fun places to eat locally. It also gives me a break from writing about politics, but this week the two crossed paths.

You can’t mention Skosh Monahan’s Steakhouse and Irish Pub, at 2000 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa, without bringing politics into the equation since the restaurant’s owner is Councilman Gary Monahan.

I’ve eaten at Skosh’s many times.

The food is tasty, and my husband especially enjoys watching sports on the multiple TVs around the restaurant as we dine.

Enjoy appetizers like the Famous Filet Sliders, $12.99, with bacon, onion and Guinness sauce, or the popular Irish Nachos consisting of steak fries, melted cheese, bacon and jalapeños, $12.99 — half order $8.99.

There’s also classic pub food, such as Irish Lamb Stew, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Guinness Brats and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and Fish and Chips — all priced at $13.99.

The menu is quite extensive, including steaks, fish, burgers and more. Check out the complete list on their website, https://www.skoshmonahans.com/#irish-spirits.

But does Monahan’s politics impact his business?

There have been times when I’ve suggested dining at Skosh’s to friends who wouldn’t go there because of Monahan’s political stand on issues.

Last week he posted this on Facebook: “Many peeps won’t come into Skosh’s, and many will, because of my politics ... yet many business owners stay out of politics publicly because they believe they will lose business ... what do you all think? ... Should we all not get involved? Or should we?”

After reading this I called him.

He says he posted this “open question” to see what folks thought. Since it was his page, most agreed they should.

“It has affected me in both ways positive and some negative, but that’s what I chose to do years ago,” he told me.

Having gone through many campaign cycles, Monahan feels business owners should participate politically. He tells me those who don’t run the risk of having non-business friendly candidates get elected, which might negatively impact their businesses.

“Don’t call me a year later and complain about what the council is doing if you didn’t get involved”, he says.

But Monahan has taken it a bit further than most businesses, who just make a campaign donation or display a candidate’s sign for support.

The second floor of his restaurant serves as Republican headquarters for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa).

And there have been times when protesters in front of his restaurant have scared away customers, he tells me. But by the same token, patrons crossed those same picket lines to show support for him and his political stands.

Though Monahan says he’d like to see more businesses get involved in local elections, we don’t see the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce following suit. They don’t endorse candidates or spend money on campaigns, as does the Newport Chamber.

But getting back to his Facebook post, apparently I wasn’t the only one who read it.

So did Dan Chmielewski, who runs Alexander Public Relations Agency in Orange County, and is also the managing editor of the popular blog, TheLiberalOC.

Needless to say Chmielewski’s political views are quite different than conservative Monahan.

“I took Gary’s posting as an invitation to go there,” he says.

This past Veterans Day, Chmielewski bellied up to the bar, introduced himself to Monahan, and they chatted.

“We agreed to disagree and had a polite political, and very nice, conversation,” he says.

Chmielewski said he enjoyed Skosh’s Irish Nachos and drinks.

In fact he had such a good time, he told me he’d like to organize a “Drinking Liberally” get-together there.

If you haven’t heard of Drinking Liberally, it’s a national organization founded in New York City in 2003, which now boasts 202 chapters in 43 states and around the world.

The website describes it as “An informal, inclusive progressive social group,” and goes on to say, “Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher.”

Chmielewski says the local group he was affiliated with used to meet in Santa Ana at the now-defunct Memphis Cafe (the Costa Mesa location at The Lab is still open).

He thinks Skosh’s might be a good place to reconvene.

The group attracts not only liberals, but conservatives and Libertarians as well, he tells me.

“We make fun of each other’s party, and we see what we have in common, rather than what divides us,” he says.

And considering how turbulent politics is in Costa Mesa, and everywhere else for that matter, this concept of getting together over a few drinks might be the ticket to working toward creating a more positive political atmosphere.

I asked Chmielewski what his friends thought about him visiting Monahan’s restaurant.

When he mentioned it they cautioned, “Don’t forget to keep your receipt — just in case you get stopped by the cops,” Chmielewski joked.

BARBARA VENEZIA, whose column appears Fridays, lives in Newport Beach. She can be reached at bvontv1@gmail.com.