Best of 2000: Best English Pub Grub

Shakespeare Pub & Grille
3701 India Street, Midtown
(619) 299-0230

Yes, English pubs seem to be proliferating like King George's troops. But the well-ensconsed Shakespeare captures the British pub atmosphere. It's not just the soccer on the TV, the "Harp" and "Guinness" umbrellas outside, and the accents you hear around you. It is the 1940s wigginess of the bar and its fustian diamond leaded windows. You feel as if Winston were ready to come in puffing his cigar and demanding a pint. And they have interesting pints, like Fullers India Pale Ale and Newcastle Brown on tap, and around the walls, photos from Olde England. "Albion Street, Leeds c. 1900." "Deansgate, 1870." Come on Friday nights, when dart games are noisy and "chums" sit around the bar quaffing ale from their pewter mugs. Stay for the food. Not because it's that good. But it does haul your taste buds back to your last trip to Old Blighty. Fish and chips, shepherd's pie, bangers and mash. Best meal is the Sunday roast beef with roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. "A meal fit for a king!" says the menu. Most of it is eight or nine bucks