Yorkshire Pudding, Pub Food And Beer At Public House No. 7 In Falls Church

Though some consider imitation the highest form of flattery, British expat and chef Mark English much prefers the real thing.

So when English rehabbed the Falls Church space that now houses Public House No. 7, his new restaurant, strict authenticity was of the essence.

The upstairs lounge features tables inlaid with works from British artists–The Dave Clark Five, The Beatles, Lewis Carroll and Shakespeare–plus a dark, handsome bar with ample draft beers. Downstairs, patrons have a view into the semi-open kitchen.

The menu boasts plenty of un-Americanized British bar food. Bangers and mash ($10)–sausages over creamy mashed potatoes–are blanketed in onion gravy. Fish and chips ($13) have the elusive, lightly crisped shell of the English archetype.

But it's the proper roast beef dinner ($16), complete with Yorkshire pudding, that really lends the menu limey cred. English's savory chicken crêpe ($13) is another British victory.

For more casual fare, opt for a terrific fish butty ($8), fried cod wrapped in a butter-swabbed roll. It's best when washed down with the PH7 house ale ($5).

Public House No. 7, 6815 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; 703-942-6383 or publichouseno7.com