Pub Of The Week: Tony Leonard reviews the Prince Alfred Hotel, Port Melbourne

Prince Alfred Hotel

355 Bay Street, Port Melbourne.
9676 9643
www.princealfred.pub

When? November 11, 2022.

VENUE

Without any great fanfare, this unassuming corner pub, in the shadows of the Port Melbourne Town Hall easily delivers a better level of pub hospitality as soon as you enter.

On the corner of Spring St East, Prince Alfred Hotel  is that desirable little pub that you want to spend time in, either solo or with friends. Since a visit some 15 years, not a lot has changed from the sealed flooring, the somewhat unusual brick square bar (not your rectangular/ horse shoe), and the wooden tables and chairs around the perimeter.

A slightly elevated stage in the corner, a red baize pool-table, and a mural depicting the pub’s  love for the Borough, an exposed kitchen  and really that’s about it.

So why does this work? As Dennis Denuto said all of those years ago, it the vibe. Great staff genuinely happy to see you, interesting menu of food and drink, a delightful, shady side street to dine (away from Bay), and people who strive for that local for the locals feel it here.

No Tab/No Pokies. 7 Days a week, food service till 9pm, popular Sunday roast the pubs favourite.

Plenty of cut price activities during the week including Disco Parma Night – Thursdays- $20, where  a range of parmas are consumed to the hypnotic  beats of Donna, KC, EWF, et al. Yep.

Everyone knows that the competition for the leisure dollar – harder than ever – is even more competitive in Port Melbourne, but here, by presenting as the main function of a pub being a place of community, Prince Alfred is more than holding its own.

Simply put, a very god pub.

FOOD/DRINK 

Smart operators stay ahead of the pack and a little while ago, the owners identified a promising young pub chef from London (Green Dragon, Barnet) and brought home here to run the kitchen.

The result is top notch pub food with a tweak here and there, reasonably priced and accessible with vegan/vegetArian options available.

Six entrees, 4 burgers, (best seller Duke Original, w/ cheese, pickles,  onions , mustard,  ketchup, brioche, chips at $19, and about 10 mains.

Entrée range from Squid, Lime Chilli Aioli, (15) to Black Truffle Brie, Apple Jam, Croutons (12), while mains Wagyu Beef Short Rib, Pomme Puree, Butternut Pumpkin (38) or Poached Beetroot, balsamic tomato, harissa butternut parsnip crisps (21). Steaks start at $36, and included are fries, salad, and sauce.

Range of traditional favourites on  and newer popular such  as Young Henry, Hop Nation, Mountain Goat and wines,   5 each of Red/White, including a ripper Cab Sauv from Fallen Giants in the Grampians. $. 12pg and good shopping.

• Entrees: $14
• Mains: $27
• Desserts: Not really but a sticky date available.

Tried was;

• Smoked Chicken Sliders, chilli jam, charcoal mini buns. 2/$13. What a good starter. Moist, cold chicken with real flavour, interesting buns adding a layer of smokiness, subtle relish. Haven’t seen this type of bread before in a pub but how inventive!
• Mac N Cheese croquettes, black garlic aioli. 3/$12. Again a twist here elevates these ever popular pub entrees and clearly made in kitchen rather than brought in a fried up.
• Peri Peri Chicken, 3 fillets, pomegranate purée, kipflers, , paprika yoghurt. $29. Big plate of tasty pub food. Chicken grilled beautifully, good char, all the support cast worked in so well. Under $30 was a fair price to pay.

Summary

The Prince Alfred in Port Melbourne could easily be a case study for those wanting to go into Pub Hospitality and see how a small pub operates and successfully trade given the surrounding competition.

Attentive without sweating on you, table service, enjoyable background music without it distracting conversation, not needing other bells, whistles or golden rhinos to bring people in.

No one shies away from this being hard graft, but the owners have set this pub up to be a house of comfort and community, 7 days, from Midday.

If a badge of pub honour is doing the basics over and over again to the satisfaction of your customers, all that can be said, is continued successful trading is deserved.

Including Disco Parma Night!

SCORE: 14.4/20