A Queen, a Saint and a Wedding: Celebrating with England in the East Bay

England will step into the spotlight on April 29 as the world shares the excitement of a Royal Wedding. But the merriment begins this week, and the East Bay is welcome to join the revelry.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 85th birthday on April 21 and continues her reign as the oldest monarch in English history so raise a glass (or cup of tea) in her honor.

On Saturday, make merry at the pub for St. George's Day. This feast day in honor of the patron saint of England was once a festival to rival Christmas. Alas, St. George’s Day now passes generally unnoticed in England, barely causing a ripple in the collective beer mug. There is no public holiday, and culturally, England’s green neighbor to the west, St. Patrick, has long overshadowed St. George. But this is the year of the Royal Wedding, and no excuses are needed to celebrate.

We searched across the East Bay for the various hubs of Englishness (aka pubs) where a good pie and pint could be found for St. George’s Day and a little piece of England would be served for the Royal Wedding.  

And, your celebration of things English doesn't have to end after Prince William and his new bride, Catherine, leave for their honeymoon. On the afternoon of Friday, May 6, the Walnut Creek Garden Club will serve a traditional high tea at the Gardens at Heather Farm and hold a silent auction to raise money for community projects. Details below. 

Commonwealth Cafe and Public House
2282 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, www.cmonoakland.com

Hours: 9am to 10:30pm.

Serving traditional English fare, such as "Bangers and Mash," "Shepherd's Pie" and "Beanz & Toast," along with a variety of hearty ales, the Commonwealth is a modern incarnation of the faithful English pub. There are no specific events or specials planned for St. George's Day, but it's the thought that counts.

"We usually have that British vibe going anyway," said owner Ross Adair, who hails from Glasgow, Scotland.

Breakfast begins at 9am with Heinz Baked Beans on toast or a Devonshire cream scone. For lunch or dinner, the "Ploughman's Platter" will take you to the green plains of English countryside, while the "Fish & Chip Butty" will bring you home to English comfort food. Beware: stray to the French onion soup or Scotch egg and you may be accused of treachery.

On St. George’s Day, the match of the day is Chelsea versus West Ham, with kick-off at 9:30am.

Englander Sports Pub
101 Parrott Street
San Leandro, www.englanderpub.com

Hours: 11am to Midnight

This place may feel more like an American sports bar than a quaint English pub with the SF Giants and the Oakland A's playing on St. George's Day, along with the large selection of American beer and food. But the menu still boasts a few English staples. Look for the steak and ale pie and fish and chips among the burgers, BBQ and Mexican food. A "shandy lager" (known in England simply as a "shandy") is always a refreshing addition to a daytime pub meal.

The Englander opens at 11am, which means missing the morning soccer game and a traditional brunch, but stays open for late night revelers until midnight.

The Crown
331 Hartz Avenue
Danville, http://www.crownpub.com

Hours: 11:30am to 1:30am

Happy hour here from 3pm to 6pm means $3.50 pints of draft beer. On Saturday, Shepherd's Pie will be on special for $7.50. Next weekend, The Crown will be showing live coverage of the Royal Wedding (which starts at 3am for the thoroughly dedicated) from 11:30am until close at 10pm, and serving tea and scones.

Redcoats Pub
336 Saint Mary Street
Pleasanton, www.redcoatspub.com/

Hours: 11:30am to 1am

Two words: curry chips. This popular English chip-shop item (known as "chips with curry sauce") is the perfect blend of comfortable and the flavorful. Try a thirst-quenching Blackthorn Cider or a creamy Boddington's. Beware of the "Snake Bite," a favorite with England's college-aged revelers. It's bite is stronger than its bark. The beers come in the larger imperial pint size too.

For the wedding, Redcoats will be hosting a traditional English garden party, with strawberry cream tea and fresh scones, trifle and sherry. Make reservations to ensure your spot. Re-runs of the wedding will be shown all day.

The English Rose
163 West Neal Street
Pleasanton, www.theenglishrose-pleasanton.com

It's a Royal Tea Party! On Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30, the store will celebrate the Royal Wedding with a lovely Royal Tea time. Sparkling Tea will be served to toast the new Royal Couple. Cost is $28 per guest.

Kensington Circus
389 Colusa Avenue
Kensington

Hours: 5pm to 10pm

Complete with a playground for the kids (hence the "Circus"), this "local" is as good an English pub as any across the pond. From the beer to the food and back again. Save yourself though for the "Sticky Toffee Pudding," which tastes as good as it sounds.

High Tea on the Lawn at the Gardens at Heather Farm, Friday May 6
1540 Marchbanks Drive
Walnut Creek, www.gardenshf.org

Tea is served at 2 p.m. Silent auction closes at 3:15 p.m. 

Harpist Katherine Honey will play as you enjoy tea, sandwiches, scones and cakes. Then take a stroll through the six-acre garden of flowers and native California plants, including 1000 rose bushes in bloom. Brimmed hats and flats are recommended. 

A $30 check to reserve your space is required. Make check payable to the Walnut Creek Garden Club and mail it to Jane Berger, 1201 Lindell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-6011. 

Cheers!