Pub of the Week: Five Flags Hotel, Campbells Creek
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Five Flags Hotel
151 Main Rd, Campbells Creek
Phone: 5472 1010
20 September, 2024
On a recommendation, this week’s pub, Five Flags, is a gorgeous country pub just through Castlemaine, in Campbells Creek, heading back towards Daylesford.
First impressions of an old, paint fading brick boozer deceive. The bullnose roofing/verandah, with various Australian flags protruding, quaint wrought iron lattice work beneath the guttering, reminds of every second home in inner suburban Brunswick. Still, there’s a hesitation to go in.
Fears allayed immediately.
Front bar to the right with small TAB and standard pool table (suspect it becomes cramped), two old world dining rooms to the left with fireplaces, through to a much larger, modern affair, seating maybe 60-70 at any one time, and a ripper looking beer garden to catch the warmth with plenty of umbrellas/sheds, trees/flower pots greenery, later in the year.
This is one of the nicer beer gardens in Victoria, from such a humble outward facade.
Pokies: No
Tab: Yes
The Five Flags’ reputation is based on superior pub food, including accolades from the team at Golden Plates, (central Victoria, best chef), and from the AHA, awarding Rory Brown Victorian Chef of the Year in 2024.
But expel any ideas of the pub being a gourmand’s destination. It isn’t. Campbells Creek is a small, unassuming town, (almost suburb of Castlemaine), and the pub relies on catching travellers from the main road.
Entrees number six, mains 15, desserts four, all supported by an excellent array of daily specials. (On this day, they started with six, and after one hour had two remaining).
The plates are familiar, but all have really clever touches to them.
Loved the starter of spring roll duck shanks, five spice salt, and red curry mayo (three/$14). The meat from the shank had been removed and reattached to the bone. Superior to the standard you get in a pub, enhanced by a full on, mule kicking mayo.
Very good also were the tempura cauliflower sliders. (two/$12). Crisp, plentiful and the small bun was a beauty, all held together by the salsa verde. This again is a popular dish, with neat tricks to make it better.
A magnificent share for two would have been the “Mega Mixed Grill”. For $65, (remember it’s a share), included steak, pork cutlet, bacon, fried egg, Italian sausage, crumb lamb cutlet, chips and your choice of sauce.
Be my guests.
There was a slight miss with another special: four point lamb rack citrus crusted, broccolini, duck fat potatoes, RWJ. $40 (again another share).
The meat was fabulous, the crust gave an extra layer of flavour, veggies excellent but the fat hadn’t quite rendered from the four points. A tiny bit of butchery removing some, would have hit the bullseye.
Dessert was a big serve (14), of brioche and butter pudding, vanilla bean, peanut brittle, toffee sauce. I am repeating myself but another share would be in order.
Entrees $14, mains $30, (steak higher $46, 450g T-Bone), desserts $14.
Fine tap beer from the Carlton range, locals represented by Shedshaker, and Harcourt (its cider is wonderful), and wine is mainly sourced locally from providers such as Pengally Lane, Blackjack, Guilford. $12pg is good shopping.
Again a common theme is run by me. Local/community pubs are a vital lifeline to the community so you barrack for its success.
The Five Flags, Campbells Creek is one such, it’s a beauty.
SCORE: 14.6