Positioned neatly at the top of Haverstock Hill and just a short walk from Belsize Park tube station sits The George pub.

A mainstay of north London, it has been happily serving pints of beer and bar snacks to contented customers for a number of years.

Nothing ever stays the same however and The George has recently undergone a large amount of renovation work and had a complete re-jig of the menu.

Re-opened in April, the public house now sits comfortably in the “gastropub” bracket, and while the label has come to be slightly derogatory in some people’ minds, nothing could be further from the truth in this case.

There are chalk boards outside promoting various food and drink, but also one which mentions how staff at the nearby Royal Free Hospital get 10 per cent off their orders. An excellent touch.

A clean and open bar with a wide selection of beers and ciders welcomes you as you come in through the main doors and there is a TV screen on the wall to your left.

Staff are keen to stress that while the pub has had a makeover, it is still a place where people can drop in for a pint and catch the latest football match.

The furniture is all light wood and comfortable and there is an outside bit with covering for those needing fresh air.

Drinks are varied and while you can obviously get a pint of lager or gin and tonic, the choice comes from less well known companies such as Camden, Meantime and Sierra Nevada.

As is common place, these drinks are a little more expensive than those which you find in a standard pub, but not to a level which makes you sit back and notice.

Corona, for example, costs £3.90 while a glass of Glenmorangie will set you back £3.70.

Bar snacks are available and range from frittata chips with ale chutney at £3.50 to chorizo in red wine with crusty bread at £6.50.

Having ventured to the pub on a Thursday, it was pleasing to discover The George runs a steak night that day every week from 6pm.

The choice – and quality – of steaks is excellent and with each one (there are six to choose from) there is a choice of two sides.

Away from the steak menu there is an evening menu with a wide selection of dishes including a fantastic burger, salads and fish.

Deserts are plentiful and there is even a chance to taste every ice cream they have with miniature sweet treats which come out in small pots.

These were simply delicious and far removed from your standard ice creams, as one had popcorn with it while another had chocolate fudge cake.

The George has re-invented itself without killing any of the charm of the original pub and with a fantastic menu of delicious bites it will be a firm favourite for many people.