Pub of the Week: Tony Leonard reviews the Pig and Whistle Hotel

Pig and Whistle Hotel

705 James Lane, Trentham East.
5424 1213
www.pigandwhistlehotel.com.au

When? February 25, 2022.

VENUE

Set somewhere off the slightly beaten track, the Pig and Whistle Hotel (P&W) in Trentham East arises from nowhere surrounded  by windswept paddocks about 80 minutes from Melbourne, and 20 kms from Woodend.

It is a pretty and quaint pub, old style sandblasted  bricks with lush covering of green creepers covering the façade. Ringed around the outside is bench seating.  Inside the English Tavern feel is maintained with slightly darkened lighting, lead light features, and a very neat front bar dispenses excellent Draught.

The bistro is definitely old school, pub carpet and wooden tables and chairs (that are a fraction smaller than preferred) with a beer garden surrounded by some farm machinery.

No TAB/No pokies, but the effort going in to make sure you are enjoying yourself is obvious.

Having just reopened, and battling with the obstacles confronted by most pubs (staff/Covid/kitchen), the offer is somewhat reduced, but what the P&W has is spirit and a determination to succeed.  (I liked the honesty of the staff  couldn’t guarantee that the meals – entrée to main – would be spaced sufficiently as per standard practice), but to be fair they were flat stick on a very busy Sunday afternoon.

I’m tipping a rollicking time of a 2 day celebration of St. Patrick on 17 and 19 of March. Well worth a visit either day to be sure.

Much loved, The Pig and Whistle, after a long time of inactivity is  back and set for a long run.

FOOD/DRINK

Reduction in offer (what is on website//what was available) is expected at this time at all pubs, but what is provided can be classed as solid pub grub.

Entrées are few in number, but Southern Fried Chicken Ribs, Hickory BBQ (17) or a special of Fried Saganaki, lemon/herb salad (12) stand out.

Mains go to the form card of Schnitzel, Burger, Fish and Chips (all fully plated around $25), with Pork Ribs, onion rings, summer slaw, bourbon sauce (35), and a ripping looking Guinness Pie, mushy peas, fries, vegetables, gravy at $27. It was a monster of a pie.

Beer is lovingly cared for and tasted so good on a hot day, Carlton Draught/Furphy/Colonial dominate the taps and the wine list is small, fairly priced, and available in 3 sizes. Good drops offered were Indigo Sangiovese (10/17/48) from Beechworth, and Irvine Spring Hill Riesling (same price).

Average Prices:

Entrees: $15

Mains: $26 (steaks start high $30s, fully plated w/sauce//mustard)

Dessert: $15

Tried was;

• 300g Porterhouse, rare, mixed peppercorn sauce, fries, salad. $39. Served as requested, nice piece of beef and a fresh, made on the premises salad added up to a good pub meal.
• Fish and Chips (Barramundi). $25. Two fillets, same support band as the Steak, no faults, as expected.

Summary 

The reopening of the P&W is something for celebration, given that its popularity is spread far and wide, and chances are if you speak with someone who likes a Sunday drive from town to a pub, then this beauty will be part of the conversation.

And while the gorgeous setting adds that extra layer of comfort, it is still a ( good ) work in  progress but far from the finished article. Still much to be done in a general sense, it is making slow and steady strides.

(Bigger chairs in the lovely dining room pls!)

Having spoken about barracking for a certain pubs success before, add this one to the list. Owners and staff are pulling out all stops  to make you’re having the best time possible, and after three months of trading, is  heading in the right direction.

SCORE: 13/20