MOUNT DORA'S BRITISH PUB PREPS FOR OPENING IN NEW LOCATION

ABOVE: Co-owner Phil Barnard in the new bar area of Magical Meat Boutique as it's nearing the end of renovations. (Mount Dora Buzz photo)

After five successful years at its downtown location on Third Avenue, Mount Dora’s popular British pub, Magical Meat Boutique, is expected to reopen in early July in its new location just a stone’s throw away.  The expansive space, across from the Chamber of Commerce on Alexander Street, has been home to several restaurants over the last decade, but this is the first time it has been completely transformed.  

The 4,500 square-foot building has tripled the pub’s size and provided plentiful indoor and covered outdoor dining.  In keeping with its friendly vibe, the interior of the space has been extensively renovated and reconfigured into a traditional British pub by owners Phil and Kate Barnard.  Phil’s impressive woodwork includes a large new bar in the center of the space and beautiful moldings throughout.  The warm interior is accented by leaded glass and other Old World details.  

Most of the pub’s popular live music events will be inside, but a separate new dining room will be available for patrons who want to enjoy quieter meals. The larger kitchen and bar in the new space enables Magical Meat Boutique to expand its menu and its draught beer offerings.  The restaurant currently offers authentic British pub fare, plus American favorites like juicy burgers and fries. The new location will eventually offer a few more traditional British dishes like Cornish game hens.   The full bar serves cocktails, and of course, a large variety of British beers on tap.

Over the years, Magical Meat Boutique, named after Phil’s father’s famous 1960’s London butcher shop, expanded its following, not just with local residents, but also from some of the 400,000 British expats who reside in Florida, according to Phil.   Last December, Phil said that as the pub’s popularity grew, the old location could not accommodate many of their patrons indoors, especially in the summer when the weather was too hot or wet to sit outside. Additionally, the future of the railroad tracks adjacent to the pub was in question, so the Barnards decided to make the leap across the street while the 170-seat space was still available. 

The new address for Magical Meat Boutique is 322 N. Alexander Street in downtown Mount Dora.   Watch Mount Dora Buzz Facebook page for an opening date.

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