3 minute read
The George Review
The George
A review
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by JAMIE WRIGHT
Hayes is a popular destination for eating and drinking out in the borough; there is a wide selection of bars and eateries both on Hayes Street and Station Approach. One of the more venerable buildings in the picturesque heart of Old Hayes is the 17th century pub, The George. Familiar to all who live nearby and even giving its name to the street that it stands on, The George is a fine looking old inn with an impressive gravel covered courtyard out front and a smart tealcoloured portico entrance. Although always a smart building, the recent refresh has really made the exterior pop. This impression is further bolstered by the vibrant geodesic-patterned tile floor which leads into the pub itself. Service & atmosphere
The interiors offer an eclectic mix of different textures and palettes - everything from the glamorous to the industrial both in the soft furnishings and the fixtures and fittings. The mix is a good one for inspiring feelings of homeliness as well as luxury. The staff were unfailingly helpful and knowledgeable about both the refurb and the menu.
Grub’s up!
The setting is one thing, but the food and drink is what makes a place like The George. There are a range of different menus depending on when you dine and your specific dietary requirements. We picked from the ‘All Day’ menu, but there is also a Lunch menu and a Sunday menu. Vegans are well catered for too with a range of starters, mains and desserts. If you happen to be dining with youngsters, the children’s menu has mains at £5.95 and desserts for £2.95 – great value in a venue as smart as this. The ‘All Day’ menu contained a number of crowd-pleasers further supported by seasonal dishes from The George’s chef of four years, Mareck Kovalcik. I opted for the pan-fried wild scallops with smoked haddock to start; the buttery scallops were well complemented by the zesty celeriac puree, with hints of the Maghreb with the use of ras al hanout. My dining partner went for the slow roasted tomato and basil soup (a vegan-friendly version is also available) and crusty bread. As for mains, I opted for maple-glazed pork belly… accompanied, again, by scallops. The pork belly itself, pure indulgence, was lifted by the sweetness of the apple puree. Across the table sat my dining partner’s Dirty Burger. Whilst not jealous, I couldn’t help but grab a few of the Billionaire’s Fries (that he swapped out for standard fries) when he wasn’t looking. If you didn’t think that you needed parmesan and prosciutto on your fries, then think again. For the final instalment, you could opt for a mini dessert with a hot drink; options include chocolate brownie, apple and damson crumble or lemon posset. I thought I would blow the doors off with the Lotus Biscoff Chocolate bomb; a perfect chocolate sphere housing the cinnamon cookie paste which promptly melts with the addition of the hot toffee sauce. Hmmm.
Your need-to-knows
• As well as having a well-stocked bar, when we visited, there was a gin station. Bowls of fresh fruit, herbs and even edible flower petals adorned the bar, nestled among gin copas. The George does have an extensive range of cocktails so, if you are feeling adventurous, this would be well worth exploring. • Sundays are also a destination day for the pub, with the focus on roast dinners - why not head down there with friends and family for a roast with all the trimmings! • Customers parking in the car park should register their vehicle to avoid a fine.
