Pub of the Week: Tony Leonard reviews the Limerick Arms Hotel

Limerick Arms Hotel

364 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne.
9645 8666
www.limerickarms.com.au

When? March 4, 2022.

VENUE 

Many years has passed since a last visit to the Limerick Arms in South Melbourne but based on a hazy recollection, some walls have been taken out, air-con installed and with a fresh set of fixtures and fittings have turned this pub into a fine casual venue to meet and greet.

Entering from the Park/Clarendon corner, the pub basically comprises two parts. The rectangular bar is perfectly placed in the middle to be the showcase, allowing easy access from two sides. Polished floorboards, new tables/chairs, spacious area, there were a stack of taps here, while the Foxsports went quietly on from a few screens.

No TAB/No Pokies.

The dining area, replete with a large fireplace, whitewashed walls and large angular timber beams, has that ski lodge look and serves up pub favourites at reasonable prices. Staff is eager to please and overall it is a safe and welcoming hospitality package.

Short of a misstep with the main meal, this is a bankable pub on the edge of the CBD.

FOOD/DRINK

The road more travelled sums up the menu at the Limerick Arms. Indeed the office function for 15 or so on this Thursday afternoon may well have had an item each from the entire menu.

Mushroom Croquettes w/caramelised onion (14), lemon pepper calamari (15), lamb ribs, BBQ Sauce (16), are the highlights of the entrees, while parmas,  burgers,  steak are your well priced mains. Sticking steadfastly to the pub axiom that anything can be placed on top of a chicken Parma,  The Limericks offer is the ‘Rodriquez’, topped with Ham, Mixed Cheeses, Jalapeño, Guacamole and Sour cream (30).

Be my guest.

Around 15 taps of beer, Carlton D, Furphy, 150 Lashes, Brooklyn Lager are well  presented and the wine list has good points of difference by not running to the obvious. Mad Fish Riesling, $10.50/glass was chosen.

Average Prices:

Entrees: $14

Mains: $23

Dessert: $12

Tried was;

• Alabama Chicken Ribs, Sriracha Mayo 6/$15//12/$25. For sure, your neatly done pub southern fried chicken ribs, with a solid bang of heat from the mayo.
• Bangers, mash, greens, red wine jus. $20. Things became interesting here. Dining alone, this main arrived some 2 minutes after the entrée. Asking for it to be a kept warm in the kitchen, it then returned with the RWJ covering most of the plate. This doesn’t happen as a rule ( normally left to the diner to apply how much/little is needed to suit palate). The result was a fine plate of this pub staple was let down by a so so gravy. Pity.

Summary 

The Limerick Arms is a solid pub, with a stack of good touches going for it. You’d be more than happy to call this one your local or meet before heading into town.

Dining alone shouldn’t be an issue so whether there was any communication with the kitchen that I was one out, or taken as the main will be out a few moments after entrée, I can’t say for sure.

But what was a very good plate of bangers and mash was spoiled by the kitchen determining it would cover it in the jus. (When it first arrived I don’t recall  this was the case).  I hope it was a rookie error.

Pity. 

SCORE: 12.6/20