The George, Temple

One of the Strand�s oldest pubs, The George, has re-opened its doors following a careful refurbishment and brings a welcome dose of traditional pub charm coupled with improved facilities and a delicious new food menu. Former regulars � including Samuel Johnson and Sir Horace Walpole � would no doubt be impressed by the loving care that has been paid to this London landmark.

The site has been in use since 1723, albeit originally as a coffee house, and, whilst outside there hangs a sign of King George III (or �King George the Third� as American tourists might say), the pub supposedly took its name from its original proprietor, George Simpkins.

Without losing any of its traditional pub appeal, The George has been restored to former glories with the re-introduction of leather booth seating, wooden stools, black leather banquettes and polished-brass wall lights. Wooden floors have been brought back to life, and new lighting and soft furnishings complete the picture for the ground floor bar.

Visitors looking for a more formal dining experience can enjoy the newly revamped upstairs bar, which will be operating as a restaurant during the day. The inviting interior � in shades of cream and racing green � features a range of traditional fixtures and contemporary furniture, and is available for private luncheons. The space is also ideal for private parties and evening functions and can cater for between 80 � 100 guests.

The menu has also been overhauled with hearty pub fare featuring traditional classics to appeal to the enormous variety of drinker. Sited directly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice, The George is one of London�s rare finds � a classic pub in every sense where people from all walks of life happen in to imbibe a drink or three. Barristers stand shoulder-to-shoulder with felons, families commiserate convictions alongside those celebrating the taste of freedom, and cabbies and tourists swap stories like old friends � in over 280 years not much has really changed at The George.

Dishes such as Fish in Beer Batter with Chips and Gammon & Eggs sit alongside Steak and Ale Pie whilst the deliciously tempting Yorkshire Pudding Dippers � Yorkshire pudding pieces served with a pot of gravy � are the perfect accompaniment to the good selection of ales including London Pride and Wadsworth 6X. There is also a range of hot and cold sandwiches with classic fillings such Ham and English Mustard and Steak and Onion, traditional Sunday roasts at the weekend, and an extended wine list caters for all tastes.

The George is open from 11am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 12am to 10.30pm Sunday. Food is served from midday to 10pm Monday to Saturday and from midday to 10.30pm Sunday.
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Note to Editors

History of The George

� It remains unclear whether The George, founded in 1723 as a coffee house, was named after the reigning monarch, George III, or its original proprietor, a man by the name of George Simpkins. However, the portrait on the pub�s sign is not of Simpkins but rather of George III who ruled between 1760 and 1811.

� The pub stands proudly on the Strand, in the company of other great buildings, such as Royal Courts of Justice and the Adelphi Theatre. At the turn of the last century, the Strand was known for its jolly public houses, restaurants or �chop houses�, music-halls and smoking rooms.

� The George is particularly imposing with its stained glass and wooden carvings such as the monks on each side of the front window, and other, more eccentric carvings, including the green frog and seemingly naked men chasing pigs.

� The George did not escape the Blitz unscathed. At 9.20pm on 11th November 1941, the building was damaged during an aid raid. The local air raid warden Frederick Mottram, who was one of the licensees of The George, survived the blast, but gave up the license.

� Former regulars of The George include Horace Walpole, Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Johnson, who for a while used The George as a postal address. Another frequent customer was the conman Henry Perfect who was fond of impersonating vicars and, it is said, often rented rooms upstairs.

� There is also, allegedly, a ghost of a cavalier who haunts the cellar.

For more information on The George, for photography or to do a review, please email or call me on 0207 4046777

4 Jan 2005 16:41

The Roebuck, Hampstead

Used to be a bit of a "one man and his dog" kinda pub. However, after reading the Islington Gazette last week, which awarded it a five star rating as "one of the best pubs in north London", I had to go check it out for myself.

I was more than pleasantly surprised. The interior is very chic (but by no means pretentious). The food was great and the drinks range was second to none, with everything from cask ales such as Timothy Taylor, through to less conventional tipples, such as hemp beer!

This is definitely one of North London's best-kept secrets.

20 Dec 2004 20:01