Recent entries
- Edinburgh Castle Hotel
- Pine Grove Hotel
- O'Connell's Hotel
- Rose Hotel
- Prahran Hotel
- Hotel Sorrento
- Lord Newry Hotel
- Albion Hotel
- RSS Syndicate this blog (XML)
What we're talking about
- Bill Graham on Pub of the Week 2013: The search ... You really MUST try The Snug Public House, 68 Sydney Road, Brunswick.... Kim and Michael are building one hell of an eating ... more
- tony on Lord Newry Hotel we do sunday lunch and i must say the rose hotel was one of the best keep it up more
- Shane W on Prahran Hotel How come this page hasn't been updated for weeks? Looking forward to more reviews. more
- IAN on Pub of the Week 2013: The search ... Tony ???Still none in the Pakenham-Dandenong- Cranbourne- Rowville.??area To far for the "MAN" who travels by Train. more
- michele on Woodlands Hotel Absolutly fabulous pub went there wednesday for a curryand a pot/cider for $15 food great service excellent and decore ... more
- Julia on The 2012 3AW De Bortoli Pub of the ... Why would he go out in the Burbs, customer service is appaulling and the language is disgusting. more
- Bill Graham on Pub of the Week 2013: The search ... TonyLast year I recommended you paid a visit to the Last Jar....now this year, I thoroughly recommend you pay a visit to The ... more
- Rochelle on Little River Hotel Never fails! A real pub in every sense of the word! Can't go wrong for honest pub grub with an old school charm! Do yourself ... more
- Garry on McKinnon Hotel Hey Tone, can you remind us who won Pub of the Year Last year?I recall your interview with the winners on Neilo's show and ... more
- leemob on Pub of the Week 2013: The search ... Hi Tony, I read your comments re expected pricing of Pub meals. Tony you seriously live in another world to the average wage ... more
- Mick fisher on Little River Hotel Mick I am trying to call to make a booking calling forr 4 hours tonight we need a booking for Wednesday at 6.30pm my mobile ... more
- Famous Bars for Lease on Mail Exchange Hotel It is really a great service of hotel or pub. Many bars or pubs also offer same services at reasonable price to make feel ... more
- leemob on The 2012 3AW De Bortoli Pub of the ... $34 for a roast?? $46 for bottle of wine?? What world do you live in mate??? And in FOOTISGRAY!!! more
- IAN on The 2012 3AW De Bortoli Pub of the ... ALL WITHIN 5 K'S OF THE CITY ??WHAT A JOKE.GET OUT IN THE "BURBS". more
- Hesslich on Bay & Bridge Hotel THANK YOU! I didn't want to have to dish out 120 per night but I don't know of too many hotels in huge cieits that charge ... more
- michael on Woodlands Hotel this is a sensational concept for the coburg areafood, service, staff selection of drinks and and the decor first classlove ... more
- Jen on Little River Hotel The food is awesome - whoever is cheffing here, please keep it up! Massive meals, but not skimping on quality. This is ... more
- Megan on Little River Hotel Overpriced for what is just a pub meal... Packaged chips with usual garden salad plate filler. Rib eye for $32 had too much ... more
- Paul on Mail Exchange Hotel The Mail Exchange has fantastic service and great food at a reasonable price. more
- Ann on Spottiswoode Hotel Wow, are you sure we dined at the same place. My 1st experience was a Friday night and service and food was slow. Tonight I ... more
Railway Hotel
Pub: Railway Hotel
Where: 29 Chapel St., Windsor
Phone: 95104050
Date: 19 October 2012
Score: 14/20
Internet: www.therailway.com.au
OVERVIEW:
A massive two storey pub near the Dandenong Rd end of Chapel St, all the action regarding food and drink takes place on their thoroughly modern first floor that packs a punch in a rather limited space.
With the most beautiful view of the Melbourne skyline from their first floor, (just follow the train tracks back to town overlooking Windsor station), the Railway offers a heady mix of food, drink and good times and cannily completes the act of appealing to old (me) and young (you).
The Railway has had a stunning fit-out; there’s space for functions, cocktail classes, disco, but on the first floor, there is a 50:50 split in space for indoor/courtyard dining and on a brilliant Sunday, the pub was full and the music was going full tilt (acceptable even for me).
And what they get right here is that there first and foremost function is to run it as a “pub” rather than “venue”; the food is clever, well thought out, pub grub, and a good selection of wines comes from a limited list.
Fundamental to any pub is the draught beer; here it was wonderful, clean and best of all, the glassware had been properly treated. Table service, friendly staff, the Railway has a good team driving the ship and to me, appear to genuinely enjoy working there.
To top it all off, the Railway has a menu item that I haven’t encountered before. So simple, so smart and so brilliantly presented; potato cakes.
$4.50 for 3, garlic aioli, hot, golden. Even re-canting this, an image of Homer Simpson appears.
Mmmmm, potato cakes.
PRICES:
Entrees: Not really, save for the aforesaid potato cakes.
Mains: $24
Desserts: $10
Wine: $38
COMMENTS:
Functions/bottle shop (24 hour) is the street level offer. In common with the Flower Drum, there is a lift that takes you to the first floor if you don’t wish to take the stairs. And this is where the action takes place.
The rectangular bar greets you, and what is a seamless structure, it extends into the open face kitchen. The food leaving the galley looks impressive; simply you want to buy.
If I have a quibble, it is that smoking is allowed in the courtyard where people dine. For sure you know that (and is permissable), so if that doesn’t suit you eat inside (no leeching of smoke in there).
Pizza is a staple of pub life now so you if you charge $18, there should be a point of difference. At the Railway, there is a proscuitto, gorgonzola, pear, rocket (21) or pine nut, caramelised onion, roasted pumpkin, gorgonzola (18) for your consideration.
The pub staples are the go - 4 pastas including a linguine of pancetta, olives, tomato, chilli, rocket, red onion (21), big burger with the trimmings (23) or a maybe a platter of BBQ’d meats for 4 people (45) or seafood (55) if you go as a group.
I like generous mid-week “local” specials; the Railway is no exception. A 350g porterhouse, and glass of Shiraz from Heathcote sets you back a friendly $22 on Tuesdays; an express lunch from a set menu plus drink is $16. Good.
And with that view on a balmy, warm Melbourne summers day/night back to town for free, there’s a value add to the Railway that few pubs can match.
TRIED:
- Potato Cakes - 3 for $4.50 with garlic aoili. Made in the kitchen, fluffy and hot inside, golden brown outside. One seriously simple, smart dish.
- Beer battered king george whiting fillets, thick chips, tartare - $23. Fresh, white fillets, (3), served hot, great taste, just the perfect amount. And the proper fish used.
- Panko Crumbed chicken breast, vietnamese coleslaw - $23. Normally I’m a no go for CB, but this thick, moist breast in Japanese breadcrumbs, aided by the coleslaw (lot of mint through it) ended up a ripper pub dish,
- Mr. Riggs Watervale Riesling - $38//$8/glass. No problems there.
SUMMARY:
An extra tick goes to the railway for having its website up to date. I recommend having a look and the images really sell the pub in the most positive manner.
In a most curious juxtaposition, the Railway finds itself now at the more glamorous end of Chapel St, away (if it’s possible) from the hustle and bustle.
Its offer matches matches its environs; cool enough for those who want that, traditional for people like me wanting a place of food and drink.
Well worth a visit.
