Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1102.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51287" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1102.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1102-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1102-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1102-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1102-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1102-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1102-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1102-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Tucked away on the border of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire &#8211; just on the outskirts of Rugby, sits pretty little pub <a href="http://thegeorgehotelrugby.co.uk">The George</a>. It&#8217;s been closed for the last three years but has reopened with a shiny new look thanks to a £330,000 investment and with talented chef Hari Krishnamurthy at the helm. He was classically trained in India and has done stints at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe along with at joints a little closer to home like Selfridges and Mowgli in Brum. It&#8217;s his first venture going it alone and he&#8217;s serving up Indian-style dishes alongside traditional pub grub.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1099.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51288" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1099.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1099-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1099-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1099-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1099-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1099-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1099-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1099-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s been no expense spared with these renovations &#8211; it&#8217;s swish but retains its cosy pub vibe. It looks warm and inviting from outside, and as you step through the door you&#8217;re greeted by copper and teal tones, roaring fireplaces and original features like parquet flooring, gables, Elizabethan-style windows and chimneys. In the restaurant seating is at tables and cosy booths or pull up a stool at the long wooden bar. Every table was full with groups of friends, families and couples and as soon as one group left they were quickly replaced. You get the sense this place has quickly become the firm favourite with locals, but after chatting with staff I hear people come from further afield and quickly become regulars, and I can see why after tasting the food. So without further ado&#8230;.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>The wine menu isn&#8217;t vast, but its perfectly formed. I went for a glass of Italian Gavi which was fruity and crisp. There&#8217;s also aperitifs including a Peach Bellini, Negroni or Aperol Spritz, if cocktails are more your jam. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1101.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51289" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1101.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1101-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1101-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1101-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1101-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1101-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1101-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1101-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The menu is east meets west and it all sounds delicious. With that in mind me and my date for the night (my Dad) decided to share our starters as we just couldn&#8217;t choose. We went for the tempura cauliflower bites with gochujang, sriracha mayo, crispy onion, toasted sesame seeds and spring onion (£7.95) and the waitress&#8217; recommendation of the XO prawn momo dumplings with sweet chilli and soy dressing (£8.95). The cauliflower bites with perfectly light and crispy and a great vegan option, but the dumplings were the real star of the show. I&#8217;d never tasted anything like them. Swimming in a sweet and sticky sauce, I was a bit sad we were sharing, because quite honestly I wanted the whole dish to myself. The waitress told me she had a portion every night she worked and I can see why, they were really the stand-out dish of the night. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1105.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51291" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1105.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1105-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1105-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1105-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1105-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1105-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1105-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1105-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>For mains I went with handmade Old Delhi chicken tikka salad which was served on crunchy leaves with tangy pickled veg, sweet grilled pineapple and complimented by a mint, tamarind and Manuka honey dressing (£14.95). It was a lovely light option and felt pretty virtuous too. Dad went for a Keralan tiger prawn and Cornish cod with a moilee sauce, samphire butternut squash and aged basmati rice (£19.95). It was a tasty, mild spiced curry with perfectly-cooked fish and plump prawns. I definitely stole more than one forkful. </p>



<p>As we were choosing pud chef Hari popped into the restaurant for a chat with the diners to check they were happy with the food. He didn&#8217;t know I was going that night so no, it wasn&#8217;t for my benefit. I think it always says a lot when chefs take the time to go and talk to punters, they really care about the feedback. He was a delight to talk to and it was great hearing about some of his experiences cooking at top restaurants in India. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1100.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51290" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1100.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1100-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1100-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1100-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1100-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1100-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1100-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1100-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>For pudding I went with the white chocolate cookie dough, topped with toffee sauce and more white chocolate (£7.95). It was a delightfully sweet ending to the meal and while a little too large for me to finish, was just the tonic after the headiness of the spicy food. Dad went for a rum and raisin sticky toffee pudding (£7.95) &#8211; a wonderful twist on the tradition English classic, and you really got that delightful hit of rum, with juicy raisins throughout. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DOG-FRIENDLY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1107.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51294" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1107.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1107-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1107-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1107-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1107-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1107-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1107-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1107-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Dogs are welcome in the bar, and there were quite a few on the night I visited. There are loads of lovely walks around this area too so go for a wander first and then pop in to grab a bite. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<p>You&#8217;re right next to Rugby so plenty of places for a stroll nearby. If you haven&#8217;t got Fido with you then head to <a href="https://www.stwater.co.uk/our-visitor-sites/draycote-water/">Draycote Water</a>, a reserve with a five mile circular walk. Nearby there&#8217;s dog-friendly <a href="https://countryparks.warwickshire.gov.uk/rytonpools">Ryton Pools</a> with 100 acres just waiting to be explored or <a href="https://www.aquavista.com/find-a-marina/crick-waterside-marina">Crick Marina</a> with its pretty locks and annual <a href="https://www.crickboatshow.com">Boat Show</a>. <a href="https://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/SwiftValley">Swift Valley Country Park</a> is great for an amble too. There&#8217;s an 18-hole golf course in Thurlaston, or you&#8217;re an easy drive from art gallery and park&nbsp;<a href="https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/">Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park</a> with brilliant exhibitions. <a href="https://www.coombeabbey.com/">Coombe Abbey</a>&#8211; complete with Go Ape course &#8211; isn&#8217;t far either.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1106.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51293" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1106.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1106-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1106-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1106-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1106-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1106-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1106-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-1106-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>Families, friends, big groups it&#8217;s really a suits all-pub.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>If Indian food isn&#8217;t really your jam then maybe give this one a miss as it does have a focus of this on the menu.</p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>Really fair &#8211; starters come in at around £7 with mains at about the £15 mark and about £7 for pud. There&#8217;s also occasional Indian Supper Clubs too which I hear are awesome, and are about £28 including a bottle of Cobra beer. Follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheGeorgeatKilsby">Facebook page</a> to keep up to date with the next one. </p>



<p><a href="http://thegeorgehotelrugby.co.uk">The George</a>, Watling Street, Kilsby, CV23 8YE</p>



<p>01788 726669</p>


Review: The George, Kilsby

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