Rover Reviews

Hiya, mate! Rover’s cousin GabbeeDee the English Bulldog from across the pond here. Me Mum was feeling a smidge homesick and fancied some pub grub. So while motoring with friends through Capitola Village, I went barmy barking when I spotted the bright red telephone box! England!

Britannia Arms is one pint English pub and one pint sports bar, with a healthy dollop of Santa Cruz beach bistro. Entering the patio, we were greeted by owner and fellow Londoner, Andy Hewitt. As he patted my head, I caught a whiff of Minnie, Andy’s sweet rescue Pit Bull. That makes Andy tops with me, since Mum adopted me from NorCal Bulldog Rescue.

There is no better patio to people- or pooch-watch from than here next to the green grass of Esplanade Park, with the beach not far beyond a row of cypress trees. During summer, this is a front-row seat for the live music from the Esplanade Stage on Sundays (11a.m to 5 p.m.) and Wednesdays (6 to 8pm).

Mum and her pals (Cecily, Molly, and Whitney) pawsitively slobbered over the menu! All Mum’s favorites from home: bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, Cornish pasties, and fish and chips, plus a variety of other cuisine. The lasses had a hard time choosing, so they ordered a variety to share. On the table, I spotted a good sign: malt vinegar and HP Sauce (a proper English brown sauce for beef).

For starters, there were grilled artichokes and a round of bevvys from the large selection of craft beers (domestic and imported), and I got a dee-lish dish of water. The artichokes had a savoury scent of seasonings.

Supper arrived and I was gobsmacked! Mum ordered the Traditional British Dinner of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, veggies, and gravy. Yum! Whitney fancied the ahi tartare with a balsamic reduction, avocados, cilantro, soy sauce, and wonton. There was an aroma of Guinness from Cecily’s Irish stew with potatoes and carrots. And Molly had the corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, carrots and Irish soda bread. It was a feast fit for a queen and her canine!

For generous portions of delectable dishes with a lovely view, “The Brit” is absobloodylootly aces. Cheers!

Cheers and Woof! Woof!
GabbeeDee for Rover