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De Bortoli Pub of the Year 2010

Posted by: Tony Leonard | 10 December, 2010 - 11:51 AM

Overview:

The Year:

In 2010, a total of 41 pubs were reviewed.  As explained previously, a mark from 13 – 15 is where most pubs will fall and in keeping with past scoring, (I have always maintained it is an inexact science with me!), 6 fell below that mark and 7 above. 

I openly admit that I take a sympathetic view when looking at pubs and while food is the most important consideration, I take into account quality of draught beer, cleanliness of pub, staff and the magic genie of them all, hospitality, when I do my assessment.  Love the way also pubs are embracing the net; every business should run its own site rather than rely on misleading, outdated or erroneous information contained in 3rd party providers.

Beer:

Consistency and quality remains an issue: the variation in taste and smell from pub to pub, and at times tap to tap in the same venue is mind boggling. Some get it and are rewarded; others don’t provide the attention to detail that this food stuff needs and it is god-awful. The RRP for a pot in Melbourne is $4.20 as set out by AHA, and at that price, deserves to be treated properly.

A challenge to publicans – go to your pubs and have a mouthful from each tap and then put yourself in the customers shoes. Wonder why front bar trading is slipping?? The answer could be in front of you.

Food:

Prices in pubs remain your biggest gripe judged on feedback via email or blog (please keep ‘em coming in 2011). Sorry to tell you but it’s time to break the nexus of thinking pubs and cheap dining are intertwined. Most pubs put on a meal deal early in the week when prices are kept to a minimum.  If you want to treat yourself to some of Melbourne’s best, and not just restricted to a parmagiana, do a bit of net surfing and you’ll find a deal.  As I keep saying there is a big difference between cheap and value.

Steak still remains best value in pubs; worst value is pizza, while the much loved (by some) chicken parma is now firmly entrenched in the low-mid 20’s. Hmmm.

Melbourne’s best 4 in 2010

1.    Middle Park Hotel, Canterbury Rd., Middle Park.  At last, the MPH is firing.  Lovely old pub, brilliant food, fabulous front bar, and best of all there is no dead space now the house brewery is gone. Go in, spend $9, have the scotch eggs and reminisce about your childhood. Paul Wilson, you star!!

2.    Montague Hotel, Park St., South Melbourne.  Subtle changes have brought out the best in this pub, and it started with the front bar.  Warmer colours, great looking bar invites you to stay longer.  Scott Thomas’ food here matches the Court House in North Melbourne.  Try the pie of the day, mash, mushy peas, around $20.  Outstanding value.

3.    Terminus, Queens Pde, Clifton Hill.  Old time boozer, but big time new player in Melbourne pub market.  Matt Merrick does up-market pub grub as well as anyone else, but you always feel that you are in an inner suburban boozer, first and foremost with a lovely old world dining room to eat.  $20 gets the best wagyu burger in Melbourne, with chips to match.

4.    Palace, City Rd., Port Melbourne.  Luke Mangan’s name is attached to the Palace and simply his reputation is at stake. It doesn’t miss. Unashamedly sets out to be a “Gastro Pub” and gets there on the bit.  Food’s great, service sharp, menu constantly changes but the Salt and Szechuan pepper squid at $19 is a brilliant starter.  If the duck’s on, grab it.

Honourable Mention: Gertrude Hotel, Fitzroy. Simply loved the package and it sits very comfortably with the top 4 mentioned.

AND THE 2010 DEBORTOLI PUB OF THE YEAR IS....

TERMINUS HOTEL, Queens Pde., Clifton Hill


Thank you to Neil all of the contributors throughout 2010 and I look forward to going again for a 17th time in 2011

Review: Terminus, Clifton Hill

Terminus Hotel REVIEW: "In keeping with the tradition started by the Herald Sun of '10 reasons why we say Christine Nixon must be sacked!', I thought I'd give you the equivalent in support of this fine old pub at the Clifton Hill public transport interchange." Read full review.

 

De Bortoli Wines

Blog comments Your Say

  • I was thinking The Wonthaggi Whalebone Hotel would of won

    col Friday 18 February, 2011 - 6:38 PM

  • Cheer up Vonnie. The snapper is an awesome dish and the steaks (and chips and salad)are killers. We love the Termie and think Tony was on the money to give it the Pub of the Year.

    Russell Thursday 10 February, 2011 - 5:03 PM

  • We had lunch at the Terminus on Saturday and were very disappointed. The portion of snapper and rice was tiny. The menu description didn't mention that it came served with soup and shellfish. The steak was good but the accompaniments not so - oily chips and salad. We love our pub grub, but won't be back. There are better options out there.

    Vonnie Monday 13 December, 2010 - 3:01 PM

  • The best steak on the Mornington Peninsula has to be at the newly opened "Ohshore Restaurant" Tootgarook. For $25 it's great value and done to perfection every time! Plus the service is fabulous.

    Ken Saturday 11 December, 2010 - 1:58 PM

  • Nice to know a pub that is not in the inner suburbs got the nod, dont think you really ever go past the city skirts or beachside suburbs so this is great for us on the northern side, well done to the Termie.

    Cheryl Friday 10 December, 2010 - 9:46 PM

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