Subject: The George and Dragon, Clifton Author: Cecilia Campbell Date: 2/14/2010 Body: RATING Total 23 Great atmosphere 5 Home cooked fresh food 5 Plenty of flavour 5 Good value for money 5 Service with a smile 3 Telephone 01768-865381 www.georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk Original review: Lunch on February 14, 2010 We had actually been to the George and Dragon before, namely at the opening night, which I'm thinking must be a couple of years ago now. The Lowther family has done a fantastic job refurbishing this pub, there are several log burners, flag stone floors and plenty of cosyness – even though it's so new they've managed to not make it too perfect and spotless, the way a lot of modern pubs are. Also nice to be greeted by a black board telling us that this pub serves fresh produce from the Lowther estate. This was a Sunday lunch, so there was the normal a la carte menu plus a few specials, including roast beef and roast pork loin. I went for the latter, which arrived with near perfect roast potatoes, mashed carrot with delicious pieces of pork crackling stuck into it, apple sauce containing actual pieces of apples and deliciously juicy pork. It was literally exactly how I would have liked it – no fuss, just loads of flavour and top ingredients. Even better that the side vegetables were NOT of the standard steamed variety, but rather Savoy cabbage braised with bacon and cauliflower cheese – or possibly bechamel, it was hard to tell as it had a burnt flavour, the only complaint of the meal. Martin's choice was almost even more of a pleasant discovery. He ordered a Shorthorn beef burger with chips, and it came with this fantastic, freshly cut, tangy tomato, pepper and onion relish. There was mayo on the burger as it arrived, the meat itself had a hint of pink in the middle and the whole thing was just burger perfection. And to top it off, there was a side salad, which may have had all the standard ingredients (tomatoes, various lettuce leaves, cucumber and raw red onion), but they were super fresh, and cut very finely (the cuke had been peeled and deseeded), which made all the difference. Luke had a children's chips, egg and ham, and that ham was to die for! (he agrees) So, this is now on the list of my three top food pubs in Cumbria (the other two being the Yanwath Gate Inn just down the road and the Punchbowl in Crosthwaite). If you like honest, fresh and flavourful pub food, this is the place to go. Posted by Cecilia Campbell   Cancel