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Thanks for stopping by, Anyone may send a review of their favourite Brit hangouts in the USA, If you would like to see your review here you only have to send it in.
REVIEW:
Ye Olde Kings Head.
116 Santa Monica Blvd., in beautiful Santa Monica, California
Tele: (310) 451-1402
Fax: (310) 393-6869
I have personally visited this establishment Three times, It is a large British Pub and Restraunt in beautiful Santa Monica, California.
Just a few minutes walk from the Sea front.
The first two times I went into the restraunt only, the attached shop was closed, On the 3rd visit I visited the restraunt and then the pub, then the shop.
I stocked up on English Bacon, I miss that here so much, HP sauce and many other Brit favourites, I bought some bangers which were close but a little sweeter than the good old British banger.
On my first and second visits, I found the food ok, mediocre, the second visit I had Fish & Chips, The meal was fine but the Fish was served with way too much batter, I had to chip most of it off to be able to enjoy the fish, My first Visit I had the Fishcakes which I did enjoy, but the best was my Sunday visit where I had a good old roast beef dinner, I thoroughly enjoyed it, Yorkshire pud, roast potatoes (no boiled potatoes) plenty of brussel sprouts and of course peas, The roast beef was a little fatty but very tasty, I remember that meal to this day, absolutely wonderful.
This was the first time I had stayed and visited the bar, I have to say the atmosphere in the bar was kicking, I left around 10.30pm, the pub has security (bouncers to us Brits) at the door in the evenings to ensure we dont get underage or undesirables visiting, The beer selection was very good, along with the normal fare, they have Newcastle Brown and for the first time in the USA I found McEwans Export, I enjoyed my pint very much.
Just a 10 Minute walk from Santa Monica pier, If you are in the Los Angeles area, a visit is definately recommended, There is a picture signed by Tony Blair hanging in the main restraunt, I dont actually know if he visited personally, maybe Ruth Elwell, Proprietor, can give us a little more info.
You can visit the pub website at http://www.yeoldekingshead.com
To Recap: If you miss your Brit beer and food, Well worth a visit, If you want to get your Brit food plus a fine selection of China (tea sets, tea pots.....) take time to drive there, if you let me know I may even meet you there, I am about 45 Mins away so it`s normally not too much of a drive for me to visit, of course I would have to visit the restraunt.
My Wishlist, I with they would sell Ginsters Sausage rolls and Cornish Pasties, They make their own pasties but I had a liking for the Ginsters Sausage rolls, I have not been able to buy any sausage rolls since I have been here..
Pretty much all of the staff who served were British, The people who take your orders are British, the people who take your plates away when you are done appeared to be Mexican.
9/10
REVIEW:
Lucky Baldwins British Pub
17 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena,
CA 91105-1913
Phone: (626) 795-0652
A British pub in California, It really does not resemble a British pub whatsoever, Unlike Ye olde kings head which has gone to the lengths of installing the traditional British pub seats etc, this place is very American, but thats where it stops.
The beer selection is incredible, the food is first class, the menu is limited but what is available is very good, I had probably the best shepheards pie I have ever had in my life, it was delicious.
They boast at least 50 beers on tap at any time and I can believe that, Very impressive.
This place seems to be inhabited by all sorts, it really is not a true British pub in the respect that it`s clientelle varies so much, but then again it is located in Pasadena!
The food is British, most of the beer is British, the place seems to go through stages, the older people seem to visit earlier in the evening with later becoming full of youngsters of all nationalities, English, American, Chinese, Mexican, you name it!
The place is run by a British couple who seem to concentrate on beer rather than food, however the food I had although limited in selection was excelent.
Full stars.
British Bulldog Pub & Restaurant
1667 N Mountain # 117,
Upland, CA 91784
(909) 946-6614
British Pub by name only.
I have visited twice and I think I was the only Brit in there.
On the plus side, Basic British food offered, the Scotch eggs were delicious, an older American couple sitting next to me were raving about the cottage pie, I have yet to try it.
Some British beers on tap, not a great selection, I`m sure this is more a community pub that meant to be British but has had to adapt to it`s surroundings.
Top marks for the proprietor for at least keeping a bit of Britain.
7/10
The Olde Ship
theoldeship@earthlink.net
709 North Harbor
Fullerton, CA 92832
Phone 714-871-7447
Fax 714-441-1449
www.theoldeship.com
Very authentic British Pub, I have visited twice, the food was acceptable and the beer choice was reasonable.
Most of the staff were British, Very pleasant settings, However I found the atmosphere a little hostile, Most of the clientelle were British but they just kept to their own little groups, no one had the time to talk to me.
The waitress, an older Irish lady was very entertaining, very friendly and chatty, The only person who actually spoke to me.
Bartenders were American / Mexican.
Summary: A nice authentic pub, food is reasonable, prices a little high, Worth a visit if you are in the area.
6/10
The Black Watch
Upland
California.
My one and only visit was lunch time, so a favourable review cannot be made.
The pub is in a strip mall, not very authentic, lots of football banners for midlands clubs (the owner had a Birmingham accent) and a small TV above the bar to watch the games on.
I had a cloudy pint of Bass and a hot Scotch egg, It was ok but nothing to write home about, We all know we like our Scotch eggs cold!
The bar had a few English people and some rowdy Mexican people when I visited, I only stayed for 1 beer so it would be unfair to rate this establishment at the moment, If I visit again I will re write a more comprehensive review.
Whale & Ale
San Pedro . CA
Visiting this Pub was a bit of an experience, aparently they have a lot of live music, however it is located in an industrial area of San Pedro on 7th St.
The Neighbourhood was not all that thrilling, however the pub was nice enough, food portions were small but well cooked, bangers and mash consisted of 2 sausages and a small dollop of mashed potato about 2 inches square, not much when you consider the $13 price tag!
I did not notice any Brits in the pub when I visited, the bar staff were American / Mexican.
Authenticity, it was not really authentic to a British pub, it looked a little more brit than a regular American bar.
There is a shop next door, it does not sell any food, just teapots and flowers, they did have some free Brit newspapers there.
