After more than 200 years of American independence, we, as a nation, have largely managed to leave English culture to the Brits. We’ve got cheeseburgers, cowboys, and democracy, and we’re doing our own thing.

But the Royal Peasant, a new dining addition to the Five Points area, is giving Athens a little taste of the land of the Queen.

The whole idea behind this new restaurant, tucked between Earthfare and Five Points Bottle Shop on South Lumpkin Street, is coziness. It’s a place to meet up with friends, choose from a variety of international beers, and maybe get a little grub.

Having never been to England, all I know about traditional English dining is hearsay.

That being said, the menu at The Royal Peasant sounded even more English than I had anticipated. It’s not an extensive menu, but the choices are so foreign that it makes up for lack of selection. Even the burger sounds exotic.

Basically, without the little descriptions under the meal names, most Americans would be shooting in the dark here. Bubble and squeak? Bangers and mash? Is this food or a Sesame Street sketch?

I went with the standard fish and chips and sampled the bangers and mash. The fish was OK, a little bland, but tasty with the lemon dill mayo. It was, however, fried so heavily that I could feel my blood turning into a cholesterol-laden jelly.

To translate for the less cultured out there, “bangers and mash” translates to “sausages and mashed potatoes.” Yes, it sounds weird. But the sausages were pretty dynamic, not your typical McGriddle sausage. The ‘taters were standard, but with a zesty tomato gravy.

Both meals were about $10 each, which is standard for most of the menu. Appetizers run at about $5, perfect to split with your drinking buddies. At those prices, even if the food takes a little getting used to, you won’t break the bank trying it out.

Overall, the food was solid, but nothing to brag to the Queen about. The real draw there, though, isn’t the food – it’s the atmosphere. The inside is ultra cozy, everything is made of aged-looking wood, warm and worn. Soccer jerseys hang from the rafters. The large porch is perfect for enjoying the crisp fall air with a pint.

The Royal Peasant is not necessarily a place for a quiet evening of fine dining, but simply a place to relax with some friends, get some food and pretend you’re cultured.

It’s OK, we all know you’re really just there because they serve beer on Sundays.

Cheers, mates.