The George & Vulture

Just what London needs - another Victorian pub with delusions of grandeur. The George & Vulture sits there on its corner perch, all Victorian flourishes and historical smugness, like it's doing us a favor by continuing to exist. I approached with my usual skepticism about these preserved-in-amber London boozers, fully prepared to dismiss it as yet another tourist trap trading on ye olde charm.

Well, damn it all to hell. They had to go and actually be good, didn't they?

First, let's address the elephant in the room - or rather, the surprising lack of elephantine crowds you might expect at a central London pub. The George & Vulture manages that rare feat of feeling both discovered and undiscovered simultaneously, like a well-kept secret that's somehow survived the Instagram hordes.

The Victorian architecture hits you first - and yes, I rolled my eyes at the ornate cornices and vintage mirrors until I realized they're actually original, not some designer's Pinterest-inspired fantasy of "authentic London." The high ceilings and large windows flood the space with natural light, making it feel more grand drawing room than gloomy pub. Even the decorative pillars and aged chandeliers work together in a way that shouldn't - like your eccentric aunt's living room that somehow comes together despite breaking every design rule.

Now, about those pizzas. I approached the SODO pizza offering with the kind of withering disdain I usually reserve for pubs attempting anything more ambitious than a bag of crisps. But the universe clearly enjoys making me eat my words along with unexpectedly excellent pizza. The crusts achieve that perfect balance of crispy and chewy that makes you forget you're eating in a pub instead of a proper pizzeria. Their special topping combinations manage to be creative without crossing into try-hard territory.

The beer selection, while not encyclopedic, is thoughtfully curated. There's enough craft options to satisfy the hop snobs without alienating those who just want a well-kept pint of something familiar. The staff actually seem to know their products, which is refreshingly uncommon in London's pub scene.

Perhaps most surprisingly, they've managed to crack the seemingly impossible code of being both dog-friendly and actually pleasant for humans. There's even a dog menu, complete with "dog beer" and treats, which should be insufferably precious but somehow isn't. I watched a staff member go out of their way to accommodate someone's pup without making the rest of us feel like second-class citizens to the four-legged clientele.

The outdoor seating area provides a welcome respite from London's chaos, despite being mere steps from busy streets. It's one of those rare spaces where you can actually hear yourself think - and more importantly, hear what your drinking companions are saying without resorting to interpretive dance.

Service can be hit or miss, especially on Sundays when they occasionally understaff. But even then, the solo bartender usually manages to keep things moving with the kind of efficiency that makes you wonder if they've secretly cloned themselves.

The prices won't make you choke on your pint - they're firmly in the "reasonable for London" category, which is to say expensive everywhere else but not highway robbery by capital standards. The food prices in particular feel fair given the quality, though I'm loathe to admit it.

Look, I don't enjoy having to praise establishments - it goes against my nature as a critic. But The George & Vulture in London has managed to do something rather special: create a space that honors its Victorian heritage without becoming a museum piece, serve food that's actually worth eating, and maintain an atmosphere that feels genuine rather than manufactured.

So fine, yes, go to The George & Vulture. Take your friends, take your dog, take your visiting relatives who want "a real London pub experience." Just don't tell them I sent you - I have a reputation to maintain.