Burger fans will relish a bite of George Clooney

Apr 3 2009 by Lady Who Lunches

Burger fans will relish a bite of George Clooney

IF you fancy a leisurely lunch, with plenty of time for gossip, in the centre of Perth, you could do a lot worse than 24 George Street. Dee, Bea and I go there from time to time, ignoring the dining tables, and taking possession of a couple of the beautiful leather sofas and a coffee table.

The menu includes the usual soup and sandwich combo, the ubiquitous panini, pasta etc, but it’s the burger for which number 24 is famous. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall when the burger menu was created! All the beef burgers are made from organic beef and other ingredients are sourced as locally as possible. But the names are a great part of the attraction.

We had to convince Bea that much as she adores George Clooney she wouldn’t actually enjoy the ingredients in HIS burger. Similarly we ruled out George Best, George Bush, George Harrison, George Michael, George Washington, George Foreman, even the wonderful George Burns and all settled for the George Orwell Classic, accompanied by a slice of beef tomato and some salad greens and chips.

There has been a recent price increase, and was it my imagination, or has the size been reduced? Portions, however, remain generous enough and the ingredients are beautifully fresh.

Take time to have a good look at your surroundings. Was number 24 a bank or a lawyer’s office in a previous incarnation? A large door looks as if it had guarded money or documents. One of the coffee tables is of Eastern origin, intricately carved under its glass top. There is a fantastic candelabra which must have graced a banqueting table and on the wall some classy mirrors. Are they genuine or reproductions? You decide.

Some more attention to detail might not go amiss. Our dish of sachets of sauces did not contain mustard and we had to ask for salt, pepper and vinegar. Our young waitress was quite ready to clear our plates away while two were still eating, and, when serving another table, she dropped two chips, kicked them aside, and there they lay for the rest of our visit.

Large cups of coffee were pronounced excellent by the caffeine addicts. As we left in mid afternoon, couples were arriving to enjoy coffee and cakes in the café atmosphere. The ladies’ loo is attractive and spotless, complete with fresh flowers, but, be warned, the hand drier is very brisk and blows cold air.

Venue: 24 George Street, Perth.

Décor: Very spacious, quirky.

Food: Fresh and well presented.

Service: Room for improvement.

Cost: £28.60.