Pub:                       Pier Hotel
Where:                 1 Bay St Port Melbourne
Phone:                 9646 3990
Date:                     22 July 2011
Score:                   14.5 /20
internet:              www.thepier.net.au

OVERVIEW:

Bright, modern, and with the best view of the Bay, the Pier has transformed itself from an old “Port” pub to being one of the “pretty young things” that bids for the leisure dollar in the very crowded port/south//albert/middle park precinct.

The facade is straight out of the pages of Miami Vice, circa 85, and inside packs a stack into a limited space. There is a good buzz.

To the left (on entering from Beach St aka Beaconsfield Pde) you see an exposed kitchen working away;  in front, the bar, to the right (slightly elevated) is the dining room. Past the bar is the lovely courtyard and upstairs is function room and rooftop decking.  Simply it can be all things to all people.

All of this within touching distance of the Spirit of Tasmania.

Staff is switched on and attentive and the basic component of any pub – Tap Beer – passes easily.

Maybe because of the location, I found the Pier priced to the mark as far as food goes but in saying that, as a destination to spend a few dollars, it is hard to beat.

PRICES:

Entrees:               $16
Mains:                  $32
Desserts:             $13
Wine:                    $40  ( well thought list)

COMMENTS:

The pub does a good line of interesting pub grub and the choices are plentiful.  Although I didn’t try  pizza or pasta, the average price of $22/26 for both respectively did cause a second glance.   That said, a truck load of pizzas were leaving the kitchen so clearly price was not an issue.

But, with table service and the extras that are supplied, good staff happy to make a recommendation and THAT view, the last thing on the mind is arguing the toss over a few dollars.

The wine list is priced at the right level for pubs and the brands, Yering Station, Leeuwin Estate, Pepperjack are increasingly household names.

ORDERED:

-Share plate for 2 (shared amongst 4 of us) comprised, cheese stuffed capsicum, chorizo, 4  tempura prawns, mini dims and shrimp wantons (fried), olive and eggplant tapenade, artichoke, goats fetta.   Good share, and will do more than 2, but at $34, I think is the highest I have seen for a plate of this type; you be the judge,

-Soft shell crab taco, with guacamole, tomato salsa and fennel. $17/2 pieces.  Very popular at the Pier and everyone (not in pubs yet) is doing Mexican.  Happy to cop the tip and easily knocked over, the crab was very tasty and cooked perfectly,

-Fish (flake) and Chips (homemade) with tartare (again homemade) and salad. $25.90. Big white slab, nice crisp batter and that fact that the kitchen went to the trouble of doing their chips and tartare gets an extra tick,

-Mount Langhi  Ghiran “Cliff Edge” Pinot Gris. - $44.  Big taste. I like and a fair mark up.

SUMMARY:

The advantage that the Pier has over other pubs in the area is twofold; parking and the view.  It makes the most of its area and even on a cold Thursday lunchtime, had a loyal clientele enjoying the offer.  Even more gratifying is the mix of women, with their children, having lunch.

In spite of its very glamorous interior, the Pier does the basics (and the clever) very well and is clearly popular with the locals.  Good option.