Pub Of The Week: Tony Leonard reviews the Windsor Castle Hotel

Windsor Castle Hotel

89 Albert Street, Windsor.
9525 0239

When? March 3, 2023.
www.windsorcastle.com.au

VENUE

Let’s start with a big statement: the facade of the Windsor Castle Hotel is the most unique in Melbourne, with, to use a racing expression, daylight second.

A garish Green, (or sage, or pistachio depending on your colour palate), it positively illuminates this discreet out of the way pub in Windsor: the ultra kitsch Pink Elephants on the roof confirm suspicions that the WCH is unlike any other in town and on entering your curiosity become reality.

It is wonderful.

Genuine old school small wooden bar, curious bric a brac adorning the shelves, through to dimly lit pool table/room and further through to the inside diner, complete with semi circular velveteen couches is only part of the fitout.

The beer garden with wonderful shade from a massive leafy tree in the middle, bamboo bar and lovely shaded undercover spaces  has a tropical feel. It is  dining and socializing in comfort.

As expected, no TAB or Pokies here but with the looks to convince you and friends into a long stay, either of these would be absolutely out of place.

The menus cover all tastes and preferences, are generous in size and very reasonably priced.  Points of difference throughout make for an interesting read. However two issues arose that just lowered the overall day in my opinion, both of which are easily remedied.

The Windsor Castle in a most unassuming manner, without fanfare, trades beautifully with a loyal clientele making it their home away from.

FOOD/DRINK

Have to love the different offerings on the food menu. Black garlic Labneh, za’tar, cucumber sticks, turkish bread (15), onion pakoras w/eggplant chutney (15), spicy chipotle sausages (15) sit with calamari and arancini in the starters.

Mains ditto. Mushroom bolognaise ($20), Cajun Chicken Salad (spiced eggplant can be substituted) sit with a Beef Burger, full whack $22, or Chicken parma, chips/salad  $25**

** Msg to the pub: Menu on website needs updating. Prices and items are at odds with what is being served up.

No Carlton Draught but a pot of Young Henrys Newtowner  Pale was $7. Nothing wrong with the product, but the glass it was served failed to retain the head and lace on the sides, the result of which it became flat very quickly. Team, proper cleaners fixes that in an instant.

Small wine list, interesting producers is a great point of difference. Sevenhill Inigo Reisling (11pg) was the pick.

The average prices are;

• Entrees – $15
• Mains – $25 (black angus porterhouse $42)
• Dessert – $15

Tried was;

• Po’Boys Mini Rolls. 3/$15. Very Good. Two types offered, Pulled Brisket or Chickpea Braise, w/tomato salsa and slaw, are packed on a mini brioche with the flavours working harmoniously. Fine start and take the tip – do a mix n match,
• Beef Vindaloo. $26. Hot day, Hot curry. Served with Basmati, Chutney, Raita, Roti this was a superior version to the many anodyne curries that pubs serve up. Great eating, cardamon punching through,
• Eggplant parma. $21. Good. Basil, cheese, tomato sugo, chips, salad, this is a big big tasty pub meal. As a point of difference to its Chicken cousin, this made for a fine alternative.

**Msg to the team.  Serving 2 entrees and 2 mains at once just doesn’t work unless specifically asked for. No one expects fine dining with the attendant pomp and ceremony at a pub but a basic of service is entrees first, break, mains next.

SUMMARY:

The Windsor Castle is one pub that you barrack for its continued success and hopefully never changing its direction in being a truly independent local pub. As said earlier, the missteps are easily fixed and I’m sure/hope they will.

Anyone who has a bucket list of pubs to visit and sample in Melbourne should come  here. In its own way, there is none other like it. With its out of the way location close to town, the vibe of the beer garden and the very good pub grub, this has everything anyone would love from a local.

But its uniqueness is the winner and I head back to the late 70s in my mind to see a one of a kind band on Countdown from Sydney: Jimmy and the Boys. They had a hit with a song called ‘Not Like anybody else’.

The theme song for Windsor Castle Hotel.

SCORE: 13.5/20