Not your average Fish & Chips shop

The English are not celebrated for excellent cuisine - quite the contrary-!

So it is with tongue in his witty cheek that Peter, chef and co-owner of a Pasadena restaurant, Brits, claims to serve not only warm beer but also lousy food. These stereotypes of British fare are even proudly proclaimed on menus and business cards.

Yet nothing could be further from the truth at Brits.

Brits is owned by husband and wife team Elizabeth Portela Holder and Brits Chef, Elizabeth's husband, Liverpool born Peter B. Holder, whom some may remember when he ran a catering company, The British Butler Catering (lovingly referred to as the BBC), several years ago.

Elizabeth is an authentic Connecticut Yankee. She came to California several years ago from New Haven for a “sense of adventure.” Since being here, she says she's “seen plenty of that.” Elizabeth acquired her knowledge and honed her hospitality skills in such establishments as the Ritz-Carlton, New Otoni, and Biltmore hotels and before all of that, the Graduates Club in Connecticut. Her creative and managerial talents complement her husband's culinary expertise.

Brits Chef Peter Berry Holder, distinguishes it. A Certified Master Chef Peter was Chef-de-Cuisine for the Royal Family in England. As such, Brits specializes in authentic and delicate foods from England; many of his secret recipes “we believe” were prepared for Her Royal Highness. The ensuing years Peter has either owned restaurants or been engaged as a corporate chef throughout the U.S. in areas as far a field as Florida, Arizona, Oregon, and Colorado.

Together this team has produced not just another British Pub, but one that was named the “Best Fish and Chips Restaurant in Pasadena” in 2005 by the Pasadena Weekly

Brits has been reviewed in several publications including the winter 2005 issue of For You Magazine and most recently, the March 30, 2006 Weekend Calendar of the LA Times.

Brits serves traditional pub grub but this is hardly standard fare. The food is excellent- fresh, flavorful and presented beautifully. One of its customers celebrating a birthday in the dining room was over heard saying, “and it's a great neighborhood bar.”

And once again, Peter gets to prepare exquisite meals for - whom else but Elizabeth - and the many who frequent the restaurant for British food with assorted British libations and ale and live entertainment featuring some of the areas top names and legends like Morris Wade, formerly of the Drifters, and Snotty Scotty and the Hankies - a Pasadena based group. These are other reasons to stop by Brits for a most memorable night out!

The interior of Brits is cozy, simple yet stylish.

Handsome high-backed upholstered chairs sit by tables laid with crisp white linens. A tasteful amount of pub decor-mirrors and beer signs- adorn the walls. An L- shaped bar has been added, the beer tapped and the pub is now a popular local.

The Holders expanded Brits, added a grill for healthier eating choices and now offers fine dining as well as the simpler pub fare in their expanded dining room next to the pub. Brits receives considerable patronage from both expatriate Brits and native-born Americans alike.

We believe it is, in part, because of the wonderful blend of great food and company that appears to be a trademark of Brits. Peter and Elizabeth and staff are the consummate British hosts- warm, friendly, quick-witted and even a bit cheeky. Humor is a big part of the experience at Brits.

“Warm Beer ... Lousy Food”

Whether you choose the beer path or visit Brits to satisfy a taste for English cooking, you'll not be disappointed.

Although not generally renowned for their cuisine (The British), the folks at Brits will dispel any and all misconceptions, including the one Peter and Elizabeth so proudly places, tongue in cheek, on their business cards and ads... “Warm Beer and Lousy Food”

And did we mention - “the food is spot on and taste good too!”