LIVELY ENGLISH TAP AND BEER GARDEN
By: Mark Kent
With 77 comfort food items on the menu this is no ordinary pub. Try any of the 16 appetizers that are imaginative and be rewarded with fine tasting dishes. We sampled crispy battered calamari with cherry peppers and served with salsa and chipotle aioli and a light spice bite. The ceviche had bass, shrimp and scallops marinated in lime for a cool, crisp taste. We tasted a great lobster mac and cheese – five cheeses with tender macaroni plus Maine lobster meat – it was outstanding. The braised little neck clams, steamed with applewood bacon and vermouth, had an unusual and light taste we appreciated. We’ll try other appetizers at our next visit.
5 sliders are listed and we loved the seared ahi tuna slider which was grilled with seaweed salad, wasabi mayo and sweet soy… a superior treat.
Turning to the list of soups and salads we had a delicious French onion soup, rich with slow cooked caramelized onions and a melted provolone crown.
Tomato bisque is offered along with a prime rib beef chili and 9 other salads.
The Caesar salad had the romaine shards in an excellent cream dressing with garlic croutons and parmesan cheese – very nice!
7 flatbreads and 4 panini’s, 8 burgers and 8 sandwiches grace the menu. Will report on these in the future.
Pub favorites presented included Shepherd’s Pie – beef and pork ragu with creamy corn and cheddar mashed potatoes for a unique and delicious taste – a very filling portion. The baby back ribs were slow cooked with the house seasoning and basted with a whiskey BBQ sauce for a sweet taste to these tender ribs. The fish and chips featured a haddock filling, nicely battered and crispy with their steak fried and cole slaw. There was a gentle taste to the fish and a large portion as well.
We note 3 steak versions and 4 pasta versions will sample them another time.
This evening the daily specials numbered 5 items at reduced prices. Among these were a snapper Florentine and a buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
P.S. Were pleased to note a kids menu with 6 choices available.
From 4:00pm – 7:00pm the happy hour menu offers ½ price on draft beers, wines by the glass and select liquors. There are 3 levels of reduced pricing for some 15 appetizers…a bargain!
The wine list has 30 selections by bottle or glass, 5 house wine choices and some 17 creative specialty drinks. Their tap beers include both domestic and imported brews.
There is a lively bar and dinner crowd enjoying food at reasonable pricing. English Tap Beer Garden is located at 5050 Town Center Circle in Boca Raton (561-544-8000). It’s a fun place…so go and enjoy!
