Fancy fish and chips? Us too, duck...
The clock hits 12.30pm and you’re debating where to have your lunch. Fish and chips might not be the obvious lunch choice as it’s traditionally a Friday evening indulgence, but think again. The new lunch menu at George's Great British Kitchen should be on your radar. Firstly, the menu boasts several light options, all under a tenner. Secondly, if you prefer your fish baked rather than battered, they’re more than happy to oblige.
I love a battered fish any time of the day, so I opted for the wild ocean cod (£8.75) which was perfectly cooked and the batter was a delight; nice and crunchy, golden yellow. Served with proper chip shop-style, twice-cooked chips, I added mushy peas (£1.60) because it’s basically the law.
I was out with a friend who knows his stuff, and he was very impressed by the roast Scottish haddock (£9.95) which had a subtle smokiness to it and was served on a ratatouille style Mediterranean stew with a couple of courgette crisps for garnish. We split a side of onion rings (£2.25) for good measure.
The restaurant interior has combined retro with modern extremely well. A double-height ceiling with huge chandeliers, hand-drawn fishy illustrations and seaside-hut booths meets high-gloss tiles, chrome fittings and racing green leather banquettes.
Seeing as it was a Tuesday, we thought we’d treat ourselves to a cocktail, which had absolutely nothing to do with the day of the week but it worked as an excuse. They have a special two-for-£8 drinks menu on offer, inspired by candy-shop treats. We started with a Lemon Sherbet: a vodka-based sour drink finished at the table by swirling a mini candy floss into it; a nice bit of theatre. I love a Fab lolly, so we then tried the cocktail equivalent complete with sugar sprinkles around the rim of the glass.
George’s also bring an excellent gin game. My esteemed friend tried the most local one available, Burleigh's (£7.85 for a double measure). Made in Loughborough, it came in a bulbous globe glass which is very on trend, darlings. With eleven botanicals including silver birch, dandelion, elderberries and iris, it’s a complex but wonderful gin.
Next time I visit for lunch I’m going straight for the mac ‘n’ cheese Burger. A patty made from macaroni cheese, a little paprika and French mustard, coated in panko breadcrumbs served in brioche bun with Red Leicester cheese, beef tomato and salad. There’s a lot of burgers flashing about at the moment but that sounds like it might be the king. Ash Dilks
George’s Great British Kitchen, Queen St, NG1 2BL, 0115 950 5521.
George's Great British Kitchen website
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