If you thought British food was all fish and chips, you haven't been to The Pikey in Los Angeles.
Situated below the crux of Hollywood Boulevard, the unabashed establishment settles on a blink and you'll miss it busy part of Sunset. But upon further inspection, we're at the right place with a set of red doors that seems inviting with casual patrons dining outside.
We turn inside, with one side of the door opening to the bar area, while the other side, opened to a more lit area, reminiscent of an indoor greenhouse.
The green cushioned seats sag, as we take complimentary mimosas in the well-lit side.
As my friend and I perused the menu, we changed our minds more times than we could count courtesy of our waiter, Timothy.
We opted for the fish and chips that had much fanfare from Zayn Malik, because if it's good enough for a British heartthrob in Los Angeles, it must be good.
The dish, which came with its famous house-made tartar sauce, would definitely satiate anyone looking to grab a quick drink on a weeknight.
While the "chips" didn't resemble the chips my uncle made (he owned a fish and chips restaurant in England), that didn't take away from the flaky batter of the fish, that shattered with each morsel doused in malt vinegar.
Another plate that seemed to be on everyone's table was the Full English Breakfast. We definitely heard a waitress, recommending patrons this option for that perfect hangover cure.
Consisting of sunny side eggs, grilled tomatoes, spicy sausage, baked beans, a roasted portobello mushroom and crispy bacon, the dish lived up to its name.
Up next on the menu? Dessert, which wasn't really a question, since Timothy had sold us with The Pikey's Guinness ice cream the moment we sat down.
The no-frills ice cream arrived with shortbread cookies. One spoonful of the ice cream we were hooked on the tartness. For those who enjoy an iced coffee, the flavor tastes like a creamy indulgence.
Overall, The Pikey offers elevated British dishes but with an added luxury: a perfect sunny 73 degree weather with every bite.