Venue: Black Spur Inn
Where: 436 Maroondah Hwy., Narbethong
Phone: 5963 7121
Date: 3 July 2009
Score: 14

Today’s review is more of a snap-shot of a trip through the Yarra Valley and (slightly) beyond, which took in 4 pubs along the North-east section of the Valley, starting at the Buxton Hotel, and ending with a quick drink at The Grand in Yarra Glen.

No one can forget what happened on Black Saturday to these parts of Victoria and while the regeneration of the forests has started, while the work has commenced on re-building the communities, the stark reminders are there in abundance of the tragic day.

I hold the view that pubs forever remain the paradigm of any town or local community; it is imperative in smaller, regional areas of Victoria that they survive and prosper.

So how are they doing?? It is impossible for me to make any sort of judgment on the basis of a couple of pots or a meal, but the message is best summarised by  saying that the support has been unflinchingly generous from Victorians, there is a long, long way to go and most importantly, the valley and surrounding areas are open for business so come on up.

So here was the day, with a word of warning that there is no unleaded petrol from Healesville to Buxton (none at Narbethong or Marysville when I travelled) so don’t go short!

Buxton Hotel, 2192 Maroondah Hwy., Buxton.  Ph.:  5774 7381.  The hardest hit of all pubs as it relied so much on trade from Marysville. Enjoyed a couple of pots there – beer’s good and cold – and was entertained by ‘Buddy’ a terrier of sorts who grabs the cue ball from the pool table and rolls it at your feet.  You pick it up and roll to him and on it goes.  

It is a typically small, homestead style hotel that had embers lapping at its large verandah on Black Saturday. Annie, the publican, told me with some help from the locals, disaster was averted on that day but it remains tough going commercially.  Affordable meals, accommodation available, it is a quaint setting and very easy to settle into a coupe of lazy hours.

Black Spur Inn Narbethong.   Focal point for the Army when the bushfires were at their zenith.  They too have noticed a downturn, especially in functions, but to be fair is going nicely as those involved in the recovery process have taken to the Inn.

It is not difficult to see why.  Set on the right hand side of the road in Narbethong, it is beautifully manicured; the pub is an impressive large brick building and has a range of accommodation for all budgets.  Importantly it is about 90 minutes from town for those looking for a day trip.

The dining room had a roaring fire going, and is very neatly set out.  A nice mix of old world and modern.

The family run pub goes out of its way to source locally, so the Rainbow Trout is from the Buxton Trout farm, the roasted root vegetables  from a garden run the local health retreat (Wade’s @ Highwood), the wine from the Yarra valley, e.g., Mount Thule, Mr. Frog, Wild River, and also from the Upper Goulburn, e.g., Delatite, Snobs Creek.

Tried was;

•    Eildon hills char-grilled olive bread, with oil/balsamic for dipping - $6.5.  Big, generous slabs, grilled enough, and retaining its moisture,
•    Soup of the day – Carrot/orange - $7.9.  Big bowl, dollop of cream in the middle, a meal in itself,
•    Roast of the day – Beef, with roast potatoes and the roasted root vegetables - $20.9.  Perfect pub tucker
•    Buxton Rainbow trout on a bed of lemon scented mash, with the root vegetables. - $26.9.  Whole baked fish was great, just too much mash. Needed to be served along side, rather than underneath the fish.  Very filling.
•    A.O.  (adults only) sundae of scoops of ice cream and a chocolate/baileys sauce – $11.5  Shared, it  was more than plenty for 2 – very, very sweet.
•    Rubicon Cab/Sav from the Goulburn region ($34).  To be honest, I have not heard of this label from the Goulburn, but it came recommended and was excellent.

Simon, one of owners admitted when it gets busy the wait can be fairly long.  Simply it is a matter of getting enough staff as there isn’t an abundant supply of workers to call on.  That said, it seems to run seamlessly enough.

The Black Spur Inn stacks up nicely.

Grand Hotel, 270 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville.  Tel. 5992 2003  One of 3 pubs in Healesville, and is pitched fairly and squarely at local trade, with a typical front bar/TAB, but with also a grand dining room and spectacular balcony adding to the charm.   

I caught up with Des, long time co-owner and over a beer, told me that the support from Melbourne had been unwavering, something for which that the town was truly grateful.  

While his pub is traditional, one of the big hitters in Victoria remains The Healesville hotel, recipient of many awards for its cutting edge dining and ornate surroundings.  It is beautiful.

Healesville is a fantastic destination for the leisure dollar, so close to town, and again the message is, like so much of the Yarra Valley, open for business.

Grand Hotel, Bell St., Yarra Glen.  Tel 9370 1230.  The last stop on the way home.  This is a stunning, hotel in the heart of the Yarra Valley.  

Accommodation, fine dining, music is the package but the bar has an  elegant charm to sit and relax over a pot  (7 or so styles draught on tap) or take one out onto the balcony  (just above street level) and watch the world go by in an opulence few can match.  Certainly the workers, also involved in the recovery process in nearby areas, were having no problem knocking over imported bottles of squirt.  I suspect the boys were of Irish decent and  a cider called Magner’s was their choice of tipple.

It is as aesthetically beautiful as any pub in Victoria.

The hospitality was there in plentiful supply.  Find a pub in the Valley, plan a day, and head out there.  As clichéd as it sounds, there is something for all budgets and all the businesses will love your support.

Personal Note:  I would like to thank friend and driver Phil Chambers for his generosity with the time on that day, and Karen Strahan from Tourism Victoria for the idea of visiting the areas. All costs were covered by 3AW.

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 to be taken back to 3AW.com.au/pub.