I LOVE pizza. So when I heard about a wood-fired pizza night on Thursdays at the George in Chideock, a table was booked and a couple of days later my partner and I were heading through the darkness to a pub that I had driven past many times but had never thought to visit.

On arrival we walked past the outdoor wood-fired oven, already prepared and at temperature despite the wet conditions.

Once inside, the smell of wood smoke from the bar’s open fire permeated the air and we were given a warm welcome by the bar staff, who talked us through the menu and showed us to our table in the bar area.

A varied menu was on offer and to its credit wasn’t so extensive as to give too much choice.

Despite tempting steaks, pasta dishes and fish, the pizzas were what we had come for.

For £9 we could choose three toppings from the menu board. Among those on offer were onion, ham, chorizo, mushroom, garlic and rosemary oil and chilli oil.

After some deliberation over toppings, I opted for a ham, chorizo and onion number and my partner went for a mushroom, chorizo and garlic and rosemary oil combination.

We also decided to order a starter of pate between us to quell our rumbling stomachs.

As we sat in the cosy and traditionally-adorned bar, every table that I could see was marked as reserved – in my mind, no better indicator of a pub that is clearly doing things right.

With the rustic charms of the pub already winning us over our pate starter arrived.

Well presented with chunky bread, pickle and a generous portion of pate the dish was promptly devoured. The coarse pate tasted excellent and the pickle added a sweet and tangy twist to this traditional dish.

Between courses the friendly atmosphere of the George lent itself to conversation with other diners, adding to the already positive experience.

Then came the pizzas, with crispy crusts, thin bases and with generous toppings.

Far from the manicured and processed cousins found in many supermarket freezer sections, these uniquely shaped and perfectly imperfect pizzas tasted delicious.

Each dish was cooked with such care as not to let them become too singed by flame and yet capture the smokiness we expected.

Our deserts of crème brulée and apple and plum crumble were also well executed but it was the pizzas that made such a positive impression on us.

They have ensured that we will be making a return visit to this excellent countryside pub.

The bill

Thatchers pint: £3.50

Thatchers half: £1.75

Pate: £4.75

Large pizza x2: £18.00

Creme Brulee: £5.00

Crumble: £5.00

TOTAL: £38.00