Firkin & Fox - The New British Invasion

(Credit: Danielle Hier)

You never know where you'll learn about the newest pub in town or the latest restaurant.  This week's lead came from an English gent washing windows outside of the yoga studio where I had just finished teaching a class.

"Have you tried the new Firkin & Fox on State Road 64 yet?"  He asked in a thick British accent, while wiping down the outside of the studio's glass.  After I confessed that I had not, he added, "I stopped in for a pint but didn't eat there.  If you ask me, they don't want drinkers, just people who might have a drink with dinner, or else their 16 oz. pint in Bradenton wouldn't be more expensive than a 20 oz. in Sarasota. Don'tcha think?"

In truth, I hadn't thought about it, as I don't generally pick pubs for the tap specials, mainly just the ambiance, grub and 2 for 1 house wines.  Still, this statement was enough to put Firkin & Fox at the top of my "must try" list.

A twenty-plus-year-old British themed pub that comes to the States via Canada, there are only two in Florida (Bradenton and Orlando), but franchise owner Jim Schott plans on opening two more within the next year.  The remaining fourteen are sprinkled throughout the US, with thirty-three locations in Canada.

The Decor: The patterned red carpeting resembles the flooring found in a casino in Atlantic City. Perhaps this is the industrial strength stain-resistant kind, but it did "work" with the velvety plush burgandy booths and black laminiate tables, and chairs with leather seating. Above each booth was a pool table-style drop light.

Adjacent to the restaurant, is the dimly lit pub, complete with a full bar and pub tables, and just beyond that is the game room, offering two equally red pool tables (I wonder if this is in honor of the royal Red Lion?) and electronic dart board ($1 and .75 cents a game, respectively).

The Food: I settled on the Bangers, Beans & Mash ($7.95), the "bangers" referring to a type of British pork sausage and sauteed onions, that's served with baked beans and creamy mashed potatoes, and opted to wash it down gently with a glass of the Stanley Lambert Pinot Noir ($6 a glass).  I brought friends, which means I also got to try the Mac & Cheese ($10.95), a deceptive name that at Firkins, really means rigatoni pasta, a three cheese sauce blend, and black forest ham bits covered in a parmesan crust.  Their Firkins Burger was perfection on a plate ($9.45), made with angus beef, and topped with Monterey Jack cheese, bacon bits an bourbon chipotle onions.

While we waited on our main dishes, we ordered the soft pretzels, which were offered in a silver spriraled container and wrapped in wax paper with newspaper print (like fish & chips were served in the old days, before serving on newspaper was considered bad for one's health). On the side was a spicy Coleman's mustard.

For dessert, I tried their lovely warm apple cobbler ($5.25) covered with vanilla ice cream.

The Bottom Line:  An appetizer, entree', drink and dessert will average $25-$30 a person, $15-$20 if you're only ordering a main course and soft drink or cup of tea.  There are also nightly dinner specials that include typically higher priced fair in a similar or less expensive price range.  

The Lingo: In case you're new to "British-speak", here's a few translations:

• Crisps - Potato Chips (usually salt & vinager, cheese or bacon flavored)
  
• Chips - French Fries (served with malt vinager
• HP - Like American steak sauces with added vinager.  NOT used on steaks in Britain, but for cooked breakfasts
•  Bitters - Beer
•  Pop - Soda
  
• Brown Sauce - Steak Sauce
• Bevvy - A British pub

*****

Firkin & Fox is located just off SR-64 and I-75. 2505 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34208. Phone: 941-748-7694. Hours are 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. daily (Until Midnight on Sundays).  visit their website www.firkinpubs.com for breakfast and special events.