George & Dragon celebrates!

Facade of George & Dragon in Taman Tasek

Ten years of a little bit of England

Ten years ago, when Patricia Chew saw that piece of property in Taman Tasek, she and her husband decided that it was an ideal spot to start a little café.  A great deal of thought and planning went into preparing the premises, and it included shipping in genuine English artifacts from her home country, England.  On 10 May 2002, George & Dragon Café opened for business and this May marks ten years of serving their menu of traditional English and Irish tavern food in charming old-world ambience. 

Decor in George & Dragon features suits of armour
and wooden tables with cast-iron legs

Dining in George & Dragon is like taking a trip into medieval England because the décor features suits of armour standing in silent sentinel while maps, shields, coat-of-arms and flaming torches adorn the walls.  As you appreciate the English artifacts, try to spot a collection of cutlery in a glass covered display box that used to belong to Chew’s grandfather.  You may even get a kick out of sitting at custom-made wooden tables that are supported by antique cast-iron sewing machine legs!

On the cover of the menu, diners are invited to “Taste the Best Steak in Town” and other specialties that are skillfully prepared by Chef Henry Tan.  Chef Henry, 38, who hails from Batu Pahat, has helmed the kitchen for the last 10 years and the signature Grilled Angus Rib-Eye Steak is better known as Henry’s Steak because it is now synonymous with him.  Working with him, is Sharianah Panachok, 33, or Ana in short, from Pontian who has also been with the café for the past 10 years.

Patricia Chew [Left] and Chef Henry present
signature grilled Angus Rib-Eye Steak a k a Henry's Steak!

“We concentrate on creating the sauces,” said Chef Henry who explained that good cuts of meat are the same everywhere but his special touch and unique sauces distinguishes their steaks from others.  Marinated in spices and grilled to your liking, the Angus Rib-Eye Steak may cost a little more but it is worth every juicy bite.  Topped with their signature minced beef sauce, you will have the double pleasure of tasting the delicious texture of both the juicy steak as well as the meaty globules in the sauce.

“Asians often ask for more sauce while the Americans prefer the original steak flavour without too much sauce,” said Chew from her observations through the years of serving guests.  To ensure that no MSG is used in their recipes, Chef Henry prepares all their sauces from fresh ingredients.  Besides the meat sauce topping, there is a choice of Black Pepper, Mushroom or spicy Barbecue sauce to go with your beef steak while the Salmon Steak can be savoured with Garlic, Lemon Butter or Creamy Black Pepper sauce.

Traditional English scones served with clotted
cream, jam and butter, and a pot of tea

George & Dragon has a reputation as the epitome of Englishness in Johor Baru so this is where you can taste traditional English Fish ‘n Chips prepared with generous chunks of Pollack coated in a light tasty batter.  If poultry is your pleasure, then try Sherwood Chicken, char-grilled marinated chicken topped with piquant sweet and sour sauce.  Its very name simply conjures visions of Robin Hood riding through Sherwood Forest with the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham in hot pursuit!

Afternoon High Tea can be enjoyed from 3pm to 6pm daily in a set that comprises freshly baked scones served with clotted cream, jam and butter, a choice of cake and delicate tuna, smoked salmon and cream & cucumber sandwiches.  The set comes with your choice of English tea or freshly brewed fragrant coffee.  There are also homemade English desserts like Apple Pie, English Trifle, Chocolate Fudge, Blueberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse to satisfy diners with prefer to end their meal sweetly.

Long-service staff, Chef Henry [Left] and
Sharianah Panachok

To celebrate their 10-year anniversary, diners enjoy special promotions where every party of ten people will receive two free bottles of wine in May through June.  In the anniversary month of May, weekday diners can enjoy ala carte appetizers at only RM10 each and on the anniversary week (8 to 14 May 2012) diners stand to win mystery prizes in a lucky draw.  A special 3-course dinner menu is also designed for Mother’s Day parties.

George & Dragon was recognized as a Best Restaurant by the Singapore Tatler in 2003 and 2004, and the café also became renowned for their range of luxurious Christmas food and wine hampers.  In 2008, they received the Silver National Quality Toilet Award in the Restaurant & Café Category from the Ministry of Housing & Local Government for their comfortable restrooms and a similar local award again in 2010.  

To increase seating room, the café in Taman Tasek expanded into a double shop-lot in October 2003 and a second outlet was opened in the Johor Premium Outlets in December 2011. 

The halal George & Dragon Café is located at No. 1 Jalan Glasiar, Taman Tasek, Johor Baru and at suite 204, Johor Premium Outlets, Indahpura, Kulaijaya, Johor.  Open from 12pm to 11.30pm daily and set lunches are served up to 3pm on weekdays.  Call 07-232 3761 and 07 – 590 9268 for reservations, special promotions or custom-made menus for events.  For more info, visit website www.GeorgeandDragonCafe.com   

Traditional Fish 'n Chips with tartar sauce and a side
of Thousand Island sauce for the salad

Generous portion of juicy grilled Angus Rib-Eye Steak
topped with meaty sauce!

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