Bangers and mash-ups

On a recent trip to London, I was struck by omnipresence of the “gastropub,” a Girl Talk like mash-up of the traditional pub with elevated British roots cuisine. Owing to the Brit’s predilection for eating smashing good food while getting smashed, I was perplexed as to why this idea hasn’t been more widely imported across the pond. Think Tulí Bistro mashed up with Bonn Lair. We Yanks are provided woefully few options for a first-rate round of pints and a first-rate meal served under the same roof. For a more local twist, Sacramento could pioneer the “gastrodive.” Formoli’s Bistro and Club Raven are four doors away from each other as it is.