Pub: Daiseys Hotel
Where:  6 Mt. Dandenong Rd., Ringwood
Phone:  9870 6021
Date: 12 March 2010
Score: 12.2/20
Internet: www.daiseyshotel.com.au

Ever been to a stand up comedy show and noticed how a funny thing has happened to said comedian en route to the gig? Why don’t funny things happen to dentists, accountants or pub reviewers on the way to the surgery, office or hotel?

Well funny things happened at Daiseys this week, a large outer suburban pub in the east suburbs, although I suspect that any humor was unintentional.
Ok, it runs to the formula of pubs of its ilk; sports bar, nightclub, kids play area and large bistro which to my eye is a cross between a rainforest, the tardis and any suburban kitchen of the 1960’s.

Indeed, I haven’t seen a bistro quite like it after 15 years of talking pubs with Neil but to be fair not unpleasant either, although a noisy rattling air-con unit near the serving area could do with a bit of maintenance from a local tradie.

Anyway, back to the fun. The lady running the PB, (not sure of the name but it had to be either Shirl, Barb, Val or Roma) is adjusting the TV to take in the one dayer from NZ, her back to the bar. A cheeky local says “Someone wants a beer!!!”. Her reply, without turning around says ,“Well, he just have to wait!! Gales of laughter, sharp but hardly offensive, and on with the game.

Then asked if we would dine in the bar or bistro. The latter we say. She says ‘Yes, the food’s better out there’. Hmmm. What was meant, I think, was that the offer was more expansive.

What seemed a day’s march to the bistro, (no shortcut) took us to the destination. We are lovingly greeted by an enthusiastic member of staff. Eating here or the PB, was asked? Here, again was the reply. Without hesitation she said the food was better out here!
What are they trying to tell me?

The food and wine offer runs to a formula that you can recite as easily as two times tables. What did impress me was the management had provided a shop a docket, downloadable from the website with a buy one, get one free.

Also, in March, a $10 discount off the price of a bistro meal is made via their web, making it a genuinely affordable option. To be fair, they are having a go at encouraging people to come in.

Tried was;

- 250g rump, chips salad at $24.90,
- The aforesaid steak, with a half lobster, at $28.95,
-  Chicken and Prawn Stir fry, vegetables and noodles meals in an oyster and soy sauce @$23.50 – this dish was the freebee on the SAD
- 9th Island pinot noir @ $40

The quality of the meat was fine, although flattening the steak out, rather than serving it cut thick, means you can only have it (realistically) served medium. But it was OK.

The stir fry was a tasty mix and had plenty of chicken and prawns, however a little less of the sauces is in order.

Final funny thing was the wine. And this is where second guessing can get you caught out.

Pepperjack was offered at $38 – still too high in my opinion. Anyway I thought I would order the ever available popular red, only to be told there was none available. “The wine list is about to change and we have run out”. OK, I will settle for the 9th Island PN - $40 and another priced too highly, but still a good drop.

On finishing and settling the bill, I was told that the Pepperjack had just arrived and apologies for not being available earlier!! Apology accepted, but I found the two different stories most amusing.

Daiseys will not be visited by the good folk at Gourmet Traveller but as far as big pubs go, the offer was about what I thought it would be, and by extension, I wasn’t disappointed.

Here’s one – What time do you see a dentist? Two (th) thirty!!

Perhaps funny things don’t happen on the way to the dental surgery.

Tony's Pub Of The Week 2010

Tony Leonard is back again this year providing readers with reviews from all the pubs he visits on the Neil Mitchell program every Friday after 11:30am. Your home for all of the reviews - 3AW.com.au/pub2010. View all the reviews by clicking on Tony's image on the right.