Inside: Mad dogs and Englishmen

Photos:

The Down Low: In business since 1991, Mad Dogs and Englishmen is relaxed and unfussy; a neighborhood favorite.  And it’s owned and operated by a real live Brit – so no gimmicks here.  This eatery is Tampa’s own gastro pub with a nice mixture of traditional pub food and high(er) brow menu selections for the more discerning palate.

The Digs: Easy to find – right on Macdill south of Euclid, Mad Dogs is a warm, broken-in hang out.  A deck with tables and a small bar greets diners and inside is an intimate dining area and full bar. 

The Delivery:  The servers and the patrons are warm and quick to strike up conversation.  It’s clear that this bar boasts regular customers and the atmosphere lends to a friendly vibe.  Our food was served up fresh and hot and our server didn’t even flinch when I gracelessly knocked over a big ol’ pint glass filled with ice water.  As it dribbled to the floor she laughed and said, “It happens all the time.”  Klutzes of the world, rejoice!

The Dish:  My guest and I each had a glass of MacMurray Pinot Noir ($9) that was smooth – it went down easy with our delicious meal.

Wanting to sample a little bit of everything, we shared our plates with no threat of plate charges.  Our server said, “I’ll just split your salad and bring extra plates for your entrees.  No problem.”

To start, the Rocket Salad ($7): Baby arugula and spinach tossed in tangy apple vinaigrette arranged with olives, feta, and crisp apples.  It was refreshing and bright - the perfect combination of crunchy, sweet, tart and savory.

To widen our knowledge of gastro pub fare, we split two plates from both ends of the spectrum:

Bangers and Mash ($12) Traditional seasoned pork sausage grilled crisp and served over red bliss mashed potatoes, finished with caramelized onion stout demi-glaze and crispy fried onions

Goat Cheese Pizza ($12) Imported goat cheese, caramelized onions and roasted figs finished with a balsamic reduction sauce

The clear winner of the two was the pizza – my taste buds were quite happy with the sweet fig/carmelized onion/snappy goat cheese ensemble.  Bangers and mash is what it is: sausage and mashed potatoes.  Though I am always a fan of the mashed spud, the sausage lacked flavor.  That must be the red-blooded Southern girl in me – Jimmy Dean it was not.  That’s not bad thing, just not a taste I’m accustomed to.

Though tempted to try one of their homemade ice creams or tempura fried brownies, our full bellies cried out in protest.

The Damage: With two glasses of (delicious) wine, soda, salad and two entrees, my wallet was $55 lighter, before tip.

The Deduction:  It was a quiet evening with good food and wine served by smiling faces.  All in all, it was a nice night.

****

Mad Dogs & Englishmen
4115 South MacDill Ave
Tampa, FL 33611
813-832-3037 

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