Longshot to open sixth Bel & The Dragon site
Bel & The Dragon at The George will be located in a Grade II listed inn building in the village of Odiham. The revamped inn will have 10 bedrooms and a 60-cover restaurant downstairs.
Co-founders of Longshot Country Inns Joel Cadbury and Ollie Vigors acquired the Bel & The Dragon Group from Orchid in 2010.
“We are delighted to be opening a Bel & The Dragon at The George in Odiham,” said Vigors. “We very much hope to restore this stunning historic building to its former glory, and we want it to become a heart of the community once again."
Cosy and classic
A new bar has been installed at the George as well as an open kitchen so customers will be able to watch the chefs at work. The George will offer al fresco dining on its terrace in nice weather, and will also have a private dining room for hire.
The George has been redesigned in the Bel & The Dragon’s usual ‘cosy and classic’ style by interior designer Nicola Harding.
The interior features tartan rugs, ‘quirky’ bookshelves, oak refectory tables and upholstered armchairs. It has retained its exposed wooden ceiling beams and a 17th century chimney piece to highlight the building’s history.
British menu
The George will offer a British menu created by Longshot Country Inns partner and group head chef Ronnie Kimbugwe. The dishes will be made using local produce and the menu will include a number of ‘simple favourites’. There will be a rotisserie section and a selection of dishes prepared using the Josper grill.
Dishes on the menu include linguini of Devon crab and fresh chilli with parsley and garlic oil, maple glazed breast of Gressingham duck with savoy cabbage, and sustainable fish pie. Desserts include caramelised lemon tart with clotted cream and elderflower berries, and rhubarb fool with crushed ginger biscuits and mascarpone. The George will also have an extensive wine list.
Cadbury said: “We are committed to a seasonal and local focus, as well as using the best of British ingredients. Our wine list will provide fantastic value for money at all levels, ranging from magnums of house wine - where our customers are only charged for what they drink - to a cellar list celebrating the best vintages and some of the finest wines in Bordeaux at extraordinary prices.
“Whether joining us for breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner, or even spending the night, we hope to make people feel at home in this very special building.”
