Review: The George, Crossharbour
Settling on your perfect local is often as tricky as finding Goldilocks a suitable breakfast.
Maybe the beer is too warm, or the decor is too cold... and is someone seriously playing rap on that jukebox?
There's really no single recipe for the perfect pub. But there's no doubt that there's something decent cooking down in Crossharbour.
The George nestles neatly between a DLR station and a 24-hour Asda supermarket. It's a well-kept haven for those that still have vivid memories how pubs should be, those who would willingly tear down the icy chrome, light up a fire and pull up a comfy chair.
The George's story began in 1864, when a homely hotel catered for ship captains. While the top floor and back end of the pub were removed in 1932, it was once a haunt for Millwall's thriving docker community, who used to assemble outside the pub at the start of the working day.
Landlords Lorraine and Pat Burns are no strangers to pub tradition themselves, boasting a quarter of a century of experience running watering holes in the East End.
Pat said: "We serve traditional home-from-home cooking. We don't want to go down the gastropub route.
"We like to think The George is what people perceive a traditional pub to be.
"If you've got good real ales, good wines and good food, people will look at it as a quality local."
Nearby workers and residents are drawn to the three cosy sections, the TV sport, the dartboard, the conservatory and the beer garden. It can't hurt that the pump selection is among the best kept on the Island, with ales such as Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Deuchars IPA.
The traditional fish and chips (£7.50) is a favourite among regulars, sourced fresh from Billingsgate Market and served with real ale batter, chips and peas. And the menu also features classic dishes such as Smithfield's finest Cumberland sausages (£6.50), the 28-day aged sirloin steak with grilled roquefort (£10.95), the George giant burger (£6.95), the hand-carved honey roast ham (£5.95), the ploughman's lunch (£5.95 or £6.25) and the signature seafood platter with salmon, king prawns, anchovies and herring (£8.95).
A range of hot and cold sandwiches and jacket potatoes are available, as are desserts such as warm bread and butter pudding (£4.50) and apple and pear crumble (£4.50).
The George is open for office functions and parties, and it's worth stopping by for the traditional roast between noon and 4pm on Sunday.
If you're still struggling to find a decent local, it's almost worth considering moving next door.
The George
114 Glengall Grove, Crossharbour
0207 987 4433
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I would like to say how disgusted i am at the way my party was treated on Friday, we had booked the conservatory at half 6 but when we got there a wake was on, we were not told prior to coming what was happening, we were told by the landlord that the party was nearly done but that wasnt the case. So we then not the landlord found a table at the front, we got some drinks and was chatting and deciding what to have bearing in mind we were there at half six at no time did the landlord bother to tell us that the kitchen closes at 7:30 so when we went to order it was shut. When we complained at the treatment the landlord didnt want to know and walked away. I work for HSBC and arrange many work meals and nights out and I can assure you i will never come nor will i reccomend your venue due to the rudeness of one person the unprofessional landlord
This is one of the nicest public houses I have been in in many years.
The people running this pub are true publicans the type you do not find any more in England.
The food is lovely as is the service and when we arrived and asked where the parking machine was allocated, the lady actually went and got a parking ticket for us.
This is only the second time i have visited this establishment, i hope there will be many more times. 10/10
compliments from an ex landlady