Who is George? Well, he was a place for fluro jackets to hang out, a place for locals not working to pass the hours and all too often, it was a public toilet while waiting for the bus. George needed the help from the kings of epic revamps, James Wirth, Michael Delany (Oxford Tavern, Duke of Enmore, The Northfolk) and Toby Wilson (Ghostboy Cantina). He got it. The team collaborated with Joel Amos (DRNKS natural wines) and they have created a new identity for this retro 60s Aussie pub.
Head inside and check out the all-original front bar, you’ll recognise a 70’s rock playlist and that they are still serving Resch’s and VB, some things shouldn’t change. Others, like the on site natural wines bottle shop DRNKS, are ahead of their time. You’ll hear about another bloke from the passionate purveyor, Sam. “Sam’s reds are singing”. That is, Margaret River Sam Vinciullo, it’s everything that beaujolais is – but Australian, it’s plush and well made. Simply describe your vibe to get your curated picks.
Get your wine to go and wander through to the quirky, pastel coloured Mexican styled courtyard and peruse the menu from Toby Wilson’s Taco King. The best place to start is with tostadas, choose from vegan guac and edamame or the delicious kingfish and avo, served on crunchy corn tortillas. The quesadillas are not as you know them, the “greens” with stringy cheese and spicy sauce is light and tasty. There are plenty of vege and al pastor meat tacos for any preference, all generously dressed in green tomatillo jalapeno salsa, oozing with flavour, they are served fast and terrific value. What makes them super interesting is that the hand-made earthy tortillas have been coloured and flavoured with cuttlefish ink. Don’t miss the crispy fish taco, it is the show stealer and is excellent with the Bird & Fox chardonnay.
If you are eating Mexican it’s almost disrespectful not to have a margarita, the strawberry jalapeno margarita has the right amount of heat and a perfect way to wrap up.
By the time you leave you’ll start to see the theme The George team are committed to, respect for things that are authentic but pushing the boundaries where it makes sense. So you’ll find out who George is… he’s a classic Aussie with a Mexican spirit and a smoking hot wine shop
The George
760 Elizabeth St, Waterloo NSW 2017
Open every day from 11am -10pm
Except Friday & Saturday 11am – midnight
www.thegeorgewaterloo.com.au
