The Whale & Ale

The Whale & Ale at 327 W.7th St. in San Pedro opened in 1988. This English Pub is known for their Fish & Chips among other English specialties. It is in the same block as Mishi's Strudel. They have happy hour aka "adult tea time" with $5.00 glasses of wine and various draft beers. They have entertainment; live piano music on Fridays and several musicians on different nights. We did not experience any of that since we got there too early.

Sandi and I could not decide what to order from the menu. We decided to concentrate of the "British Pub Specials". The English Fish & Chips had to be one of our entrees. The Steak & Mushroom Pie looked intriguing; diced filet mignon with fresh mushrooms in a rich beef gravy under puff pastry square with a side of English peas. It was either that or the Shepherd's Pie; ground filet mignon & ground roast leg of lamb seasoned and simmered with beef gravy topped with mashed potatoes then baked brown served with a side of English peas. We asked our server which she would recommend and she suggested the Shepherd's Pie.

The Fish and Chips were indeed very good; the chips were superb. The Shepherd's pie was also very good but I must say, it could have been better. I expected and hoped it would be better than the one I make. It was not better. The peas were absolutely tasteless and was better off in the pie rather than standing solo. The mashed potatoes could have been browner. That being said, we were still happy with the food.

Dessert had to be the Cumberland Sticky Toffee Pudding; caramel, ground dates in a warm cake topped with molten English toffees and vanilla ice cream. This was as good as pictured below. I don't think any other dessert can top this one.

I was pleasantly full and Sandi was stuffed. We both are planning to go back and try the other specialties and experience some of their entertainment.