A few years ago I did a collaboration with the St. George and Dragon Wargrave. I was really impressed by the quality of the food and the atmosphere. I thought that I would head back to one of my favourite villages and see whether things have changed. Plus, I want to give all of you the most up-to-date information. Here is my most recent review.
St. George and Dragon Wargrave | 2023 Review
Location
For those that don’t know Wargrave, it is a sleepy village just outside of Henley-on-Thames. Jack and I lived here for a while when we moved in together. Honestly, I love this village and have some amazing memories here. It is perfect for walks, has some delicious bakeries and is a great place to settle down.
The St. George and Dragon is right on the river bank. In the summer I don’t think that you can get a better location. Even this time of year, the river views are gorgeous and make for a cosy setting. There is also ample parking and it is just off the main road.
Atmosphere and Service
The atmosphere in the St. George and Dragon Wargrave is, as you would expect, cosy. I feel like I received a warm welcome and there was a good buzz in the air. More importantly though, I felt right at home. I can’t tell if it was the return to a familiar place, or just simply the warmth, it just felt homely.
It was also extremely busy this lunchtime, with every table filled. I think that this is always a good sign, but I would maybe have liked for the tables to be slightly further apart.
The service was okay, but could have been better. Last time I remember having a really positive and friendly waitress who was really attentive. Whilst the service was not bad in any way, I did not feel completely noticed. I suppose this could be due to the hustle, but at a higher-end venue I would expect slightly more.
The Food at St. George and Dragon – Mains
We decided to go straight for mains at the St. George and Dragon Wargrave. Both of us opted for their buttermilk chicken burger. It was served with chilli jam and aioli, alongside a generous portion of chips. We both added a slice of cheese and bacon because, well, why not!
The sizing of the burger was good. I wouldn’t say that it was too big but left me feeling nice and full! It also tasted excellent. The crispy chicken batter, alongside the jam and sauces, was a match made in heaven. I also liked the coleslaw at the bottom of it, which added an extra crunch.
Our sides of chips and onion rings were also nice and crispy. The rings though were slightly overdone and were more batter rings. I think that they could have been more thickly cut, especially given the £4.50 price tag.
Overall the food was good, but not quite excellent. Since our last visit, there was a noticeable change. However, this could be due to the time of day, or even just the dish that we ordered.
The Food at St. George and Dragon – Dessert
Going for the same choice again (sorry for being boring!), Jack and I went for a white chocolate cheesecake. They do mini desserts, which come with a hot drink of choice for £6.50. I think that it is a perfect option for a colder autumnal day.
The dishes arrived and, when they say mini, they aren’t joking! The cheesecake was shaped like a truffle and was powdered in dark chocolate. The inside was rich and creamy, as well as tasting delicious. The hot chocolate served alongside it was also nice. Perhaps a mini dessert isn’t the fairest thing to order when doing a review, but I would add that I was quite happy with this part of the meal.
The Verdict
I think that the St. George and Dragon Wargrave is a nice pub that does some good food. The atmosphere and location is just perfect, especially in the summer months on the terrace. When I visited last, the food was lovely and I left feeling very impressed. Now though, whilst good, I just left feeling as if there was something slightly missing. My experience was good but, with a few tweaks here and there, it could be excellent.
