The George & Dragon

Visiting the nearby Ightham Mote for my birthday, I was looking for somewhere special for lunch and The George and Dragon popped up on my radar being Michelin recommended. The menu, pictures (and Unilocal reviews!) looked great so I booked on-​line for the 2.30 lunch slot giving us plenty of time to enjoy our morning.
Unfortunately, we were ten minutes late due to traffic, and when we arrived we were told that we would have to order quickly as the kitchen shuts at three. We were rapidly seated and lingered over while we perused the menu. We started with a glass of Prosecco each and I hastily went for the pork belly and my partner went for the celeriac risotto. We didn’t order starters, and I didn’t really get chance to have a proper look at this part of the menu. While the children’s menu is substantial, it is definitely aimed at the older ones and there wasn’t really anything suitable for my 15 month old. This wasn’t a problem as we knew he could share ours, plus we had brought reserves!
The food came quickly and was very tasty, I couldn’t fault either dish but before I had even finished mine, the waitress came round with dessert menus saying that we would have to order straight away if we wanted one. I think this is the first time that I have been made to order dessert before I have finished my main! My rhubarb and ginger cake was good but my partner was a little disappointed with his cheesecake. We ordered tea and coffee to finish and were finally able to relax.
Although I can’t complain about the food or the friendliness of the staff, the fact that we were rushed so much from the minute we walked in put a dampener on the experience for me. If you are not prepared to serve dinner in an unhurried fashion, don’t take a booking at that time. Yes, we were 10 minutes late which was entirely our fault, but we could have also ordered starters delaying the whole process even further.

This is what I am talking about
Service = 5*
Ambience = 5*
Food = 5*
Everything is just brilliant. Locally sourced seasonal products, cooked to perfection. It was a Tuesday night and the place was buzzing.
Go, you won’t be disappointed. My only criticism is that the George and Dragon is not opposite my house!

If have to walk three times as far to get the the George & Dragon as to my closest pub and restaurant, but it’s a willing sacrifice. Ben, Jason, Miles, Justin and the other staff are great hosts, always quick to offer a pint of «George’s Marvellous Medicine» or one of the guest beers that they now get in each month. The bar lunches are great — especially in the summer when you can eat them in the recently refurbished herb garden — and the dinner menu is excellent value, putting them in the top tier of gastropubs, imho. There’s a genuine emphasis on sourcing food and beer locally. And for those of you who are not as fortunate as I am and who have to drive, there’s plenty of car parking as well, vital in picturesque Chipstead.

Ambled down recently with a few workmates for an evening meal. I heard it was under new management & was seriously impressed by what I found. Local beers — well kept — from Westerham including their own house ale and a restaurant (contemporary English/​French?) that was extremely good and seemed to specialize in local produce. It would easily take on a stand-​alone place. Great décor, relaxed feel & very friendly staff indeed. Nothing was too much trouble. I hear it’s becoming increasingly popular. It should be. ¹⁰⁄₁₀.