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Jim from St Kilda on Tony's Pub of the Year What a joke, its called PUB OF THE WEEK, not FINE DINING PLACE OF THE WEEK. these please have no real "pub" meals at all. ... more
Glenis on Redesdale Hotel Looking forward to celebrating a birthday at the Redesdale pub after hearing such glowing reports, we were very disappointed ... more
Paul Bendat on Berwick Inn Hotel This Woolworths' associated pokie pub is one of the most lethal in Vicoria. Berwick pokie gamblers lost over $9.8 million ... more
Bryan on Half Moon Hotel I agree with Big John, we need some shuffleboard tables in Australia dog! Get some over from the USA! Chicks love it, we ... more
Big John on Hotel Lincoln Love the reviews, Tony! Can you make sure you let us know if any pubs have a shuffleboard table more
Luke Robinson on Back for a 16th Year! Hi Tony, Love the reviews always spot on. Have you been back to the Cricketers arms in Port Melbourne since the change of ... more
paul on Redesdale Hotel The Redesdale is an absolute monty. Definitely worth the drive to experience something that little bit historic, innovative ... more

Pub Of The Week: Directory

Posted by: By Tony Leonard, 3AW | 20 February, 2009 - 2:54 PM

Thank you for taking the time to join me in another year of going around Melbourne, (and where possible Victoria), in search of the DeBortoli Pub of the year in 2009. I am.

Good news, (well maybe for some), is that this year returns to the tried and true format of a written weekly review, kicking off on 30 January 2009. Soon after, as an added bonus, the review as heard on Neil Mitchell's program will be included also.

All feedback is encouraged; email tleonard@3aw.com.au with an even greater emphasis on your recommendations. Simply (and allowing for 2-3 re-reviews of certain pubs) after 14 years and around 400 visits, I need some help. Any help I can provide you with family functions, birthdays, or for a recommendation past, please contact me.

Each year throws up a challenge for publicans and patrons and 2009 is no different. Conventional wisdom is that only the strong will survive given the financial climate. I hope that this doesn’t mean your local owner-operator is up against it as too many smaller pubs have disappeared in the past 5-10 years.

First observations in 2009 are that prices don’t appear to have jumped, so, as a very basic estimate, most decent mains should clock in around the $22-28 mark. At that price, they should be fully plated and display a level of competence fitting the ante. Higher the price and better the quality, then by all means head into the $30’s which, to me, is getting into dangerous pub waters.

Conversely anyone charging over $20 for a parma, is getting the top odds.

So what would I like to see;

• Pubs embracing the 2 course meal, with a beer/wine option. I know we have steak/parma nights, but there has been a reluctance to provide this option. Any sightings of this, please let me know and I will review

• Popular wines being charged at a realistic rate. To that end I will look at the freight for 2 of the more popular brands – Oyster Bay and Pepperjack – where pubs have them on the list. No more than $34-36/bottle for either.

• More pubs offering 7oz/200mil glasses of beer, rather than just having 10poz pots. Unless the offer is superior, bar prices for draught should not exceed $3/glass/$3.60/pot.

Scoring:

It is the same deal as last year with pubs marked out of 20. Most pubs will fall in the 12-14 range. Above (or below) this figure, the pub is doing something better (or worse) than the average. Things I look for:

• The pubs appearance on arrival//Staff looking to ready to serve,

• First beer from the tap (no excuses if not cold enough, or has a stale taste

• Food, priced fairly or what you get, at all ends of the spectrum,

• Menus; wine and food - Are they interesting to read or just joining the dots?

• Is everything available, rather than the N/a or 'sorry we have just run out'? Is the blackboard neat and in uniform writing or is everyone having a crack with chalk?

• Smaller touches like water, bread, brought without question and overall table presentation (glasses, napkins etc,). Table service is a plus.

• Toilets - Clean, no cracked tiles etc.

2009 Reviews (Written reviews for all pubs to follow):

3AW Pub Of The Week 2009

3AW Pub Of The Week is back - and better than ever - on 3AW.com.au. Take the tour through Victoria's best and worst pubs with our expert, Tony Leonard. Click on the image on the right to be taken to the home page for Pub Of The Week.