London is my favorite big city by far, and I often wonder how life would be if I had decided to stay when I had the chance.

No mind, with the Magical Meat Boutique just down the road, I can relive those experiences without crossing the Atlantic.

Landlords Phil Barnard and Kate Bellamy say the pub, now in its third iteration, has found the right fit in the unincorporated area between Tavares and Mount Dora.

“Being in between the towns gives us a village feel, like the countryside in England where I used to live,” Phil says.

His granddad operated a butcher shop in Camden Town that his dad rebranded as the Magical Meat Boutique in 1962 to reflect the changing music, energy and personality of London.

Decades later, that tradition migrated to Central Florida after Phil and Kate met at Pisces Rising in Mount Dora in 2013.

“I was out with my girlfriends, and they were trying to set me up with someone else,” Kate says. “As I was leaving, Phil walked in and I noticed his accent and chased him down.”

Together, they blend Phil’s upbringing and construction background with Kate’s Southern charm and hospitality experience.

“We have two accents with one mission: to make this the premier authentic British pub in Central Florida,” Kate says.

Roughly 20 to 30 British regulars frequent the pub, including a former Tottenham footballer.

“Kate’s Gin Palace” menu adds to the authenticity with an extensive cocktail selection, 20-ounce imperial pints and themed high tea events the second Thursday of each month.

“I may go back one day, I suppose, but the people are so friendly around here and we just bought the place, so we’re here for the long haul,” Phil says.

All matches of the FIFA World Cup will be shown daily until july 19th.

Photos: Nicole Hamel