One of a five-location chain, the BBC is a wonderful place to have the British pub experience at home. This is not an easy restaurant to find unless you happen to be staying right near it, but believe me, it is worth looking for.
We had five children with us, and we were not quite sure if this would be a place where they would be welcomed. We need not have worried, as they were welcomed with open arms, and the man who was providing the live entertainment came right over to our table and got the boys involved in his silly song. Everyone in the place was laughing and having a good time. They even have a kid’s menu with things like shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. Décor is what you would expect--lots of wood, a motorcycle, and lots of English quotes and posters.
However, this place has a lot more to offer than just good beer and good fun--they have great food. Everything we tried was better than just good. Even the menu was fun. The choices ran the gamut from nibbles, pasty pies, stateside specialties, bangers and mash, and fish and chips to pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches. It really is a bit overwhelming, and I was afraid that with so many diverse choices, they might be overextending themselves. I needn’t have worried.
We began with a nibble--chips with dips, a combination of spiced fries and sweet potato fries with three dipping sauces, horseradish spread, mango ketchup, and curry sauce. All delicious. Not one was left on the plate. We all like to share, and I had to fight off the grandkids because everyone liked my chips!
For my meal, I had the Tuscany salad, fresh mozzarella, sliced Roma tomatoes, roasted garlic, and balsamic vinaigrette. A large and very delicious serving.
Al had the Tavern Ale Tips, 3/4 pound of hand-cut aged beef marinated in ale, seared over charcoal and served with potato and vegetable.
Kasey, John, and the boys had pizza. They got two--one marguerita and one barbecue-chicken. It is hand-tossed crust with first-class toppings. This was serious pizza and way above-average quality.
If all this wasn’t enough, the kids got free chocolate pudding with their meals. I am never one to pass up the opportunity to have dessert, and I am glad I gave it a go here. They have an interesting selection of tuxedo cake, chocolate cake, crème brulee cheesecake, bread pudding, and pecan pie. We ordered the cheesecake and the bread pudding. Both were good choices. The cheesecake was creamy, with a crunchy sugar crust, and the bread pudding was dense and full of cinnamon flavor.
Check them out at www.britishbeer.com