Pub Of The Week: Tony Leonard’s second quarter review

DeBortoli 2022 2nd Quarter Summary (13 May – 19 August 2022)

Date: 26 August, 2022

During the aforementioned period, a total of 13 pubs were visited* across a vast section of the Melbourne Metro area and a few  Regional towns. (Ballarat/Geelong/Elphinstone). A first for this segment was a review of Brunswick Aces*, a venue/bar that specialises in the provision of non Alcoholic beverages.

There is no doubt that, like plant based/vegan meals becoming a real option on pub menus, more and more beers and wines  with zero alcohol will be readily available.

To the pubs during this period, all are praiseworthy from the viewpoint of providing a communal and hospitable environment to socialise. Over all of the years of presenting this segment, the standard has been equal to, or better than I can remember,  in 2022.

Sadly through circumstance or business direction, a number of pubs will not be serving food when they once did. In short, kitchens have been decommissioned. To that end, always check with the pub about opening times and their websites to see what is on offer.

I repeat the following:  3rd party providers of basic information, e.g. opening times, menus etc cannot be relied upon to be accurate. The same applies to any written reviews, e,g Tripadvisor/Zomato/Yelp that are any older than 12-18 months (mine included) given the nature of hospitality and the changing of personnel. (How these sites still publish stuff that’s pre Covid defies belief – Pay no attention to it).

Finally, all prices for food/bev/wages etc are on the rise and pubs are not immune. A fully plated Porterhouse will nudge $40, Chicken Parmas, close to $30. You will pay more: You will pay less but the realisation of the idiom of ‘a great cheap feed at the pub’ is elusive to find.

DeBortoli best for the second quarter.

All the pubs in this period were good.  However a few stood out and worthy of highlighting (with apologies to the Elgin Inn and Clare Castle)…

• Orrong Hotel, Armadale (June 3 review). Was surprised to learn that this beauty had been closed for a period of time but is fit and firing. So neat inside, great beer on tap, the highlight of the meal was a crumbed Pork Cutlet, slaw, relish), this is a good looking pub.
• Elphinstone Hotel (review date June 17). Had never heard of the pub, just past Kyneton, but stumbled on its Facebook page. 3 generations of one family run it on limited opening times, the food (Pork Belly, chilli, caramel the standout) has points of difference throughout, beer great and a genuine locals love of nearby vineyards. Pubs take note: sharp up to date, engaging social media always.
• Telegraph Hotel, Geelong West (review date July 8). First time visit. Absolutely wonderful. All levels of hospitality work to a higher level. The AHA’s pub of the year 2021. Easy to see why. Standout meal was the surprise entry (onto pub menus this year) of Nasi Goreng.  Just a beauty.
• The Grapes, Golden Point (review date July 29). For a pub that doesn’t do social media (no website, a facebook page that is out of date), it relies on minimal Insta and word of mouth.  It succeeds, with a beautiful old style front bat and a list of pub classics.  The definite is the serving of Rissoles, Mash, Gravy. Cold day in Ballarat, this is the go to.

And the different? Well if you’re out South Morang way, go to the bar at the Commercial Hotel,  and rather than Joker Poker or other pub favourite games, have a crack at Bullseye the Bartender. Still have no idea what it involves but there is likely there’s a drink in it if you do.

SUMMARY:

For those publicans  that got through the Covid lockdowns ( sadly a number didn’t), I hope you are getting back to business in a big way. Anecdotally, crowds and turnover seem to be flying along so more good luck to you. All staff is doing a fabulous job.

Many thanks to the suggestions received.

All correspondence via email is read and when an answer is needed I will get back to you.  Please contact me at  [e-mail].