June 2022 - The George Inn is a traditional thatched pub that has been the heart of the community for centuries. Set in the pretty village of Barford St Michael in the Cotswolds, eight miles south of Banbury on the River Swere, it was recently revitalised by its owners who spent two years restoring the building, and today is run by General Manager Claire Lenkowiec. There are nine individually designed bedrooms set around the pub and garden, with a restaurant terrace, and an organic garden that was added during lockdown. Floral-animal artworks are by Georgia Fiennes, crockery from nearby Eliza May Pottery and bathroom products by luxury British brand 100 Acres. Local suppliers include Smith & Clay Butchers, Marks Cotswold Bakery and Sandi's Jam.

The restaurant is led by Italian-born, French-trained chef Valerio Grimaldi-Plant and offers a flexible, all-day menu that joins the dots from breakfast to supper, comfort-food favourites to gastronomic feasts, with an extensive beer and wine list to match. Guests can pop in for a pint and a snack or gather friends and family for a special occasion. Along with the main dining area, there's a Wine Room for private dining with a chef's table and space for six guests. The George Inn is family friendly, with children's menus in the restaurant – and dogs are very welcome too. 

The summer menus at The George Inn draw on global inspirations, Chef Val's Italian heritage and local ingredients. Its debut garden menu features small plates such as grilled goat's cheese, truffle and honey, spiced onion bhaji and pea-and-spinach soup, served with bread from Mark's Sourdough, along with sharing platters of cheese, seafood and charcuterie and larger plates of honey roast ham with Beechwood eggs and chicken schnitzel. Puddings include Eton mess with summer berries and classic crème brulée. The set lunch menu, meanwhile, includes options such as goat's cheese crotin with garden beets and honeycomb, sea bream with crushed new potatoes, and broccoli tart, Roquefort and creamed spinach. Meanwhile the Sunday lunches are epic productions worth planning a country walk around.

Alongside local ales such as Hook Norton and Purity are seasonal cocktails such as Blueberry Tom Collins and an Orange Mule, and an accomplished wine list with over 100 bottles of New and Old World discoveries. 

The George Inn is just eight miles from Banbury and easily accessible from Oxford, Leamington Spa and Bicester, for lunch, dinner or a special occasion with friends and family.

Visit www.thegeorgebarford.co.uk to make a booking.

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