Pub:          Millers Inn
Where:     204 Millers Rd., Altona North
Phone:        9391 3555
Date:         22 October 2010
Score:         13.2/20
internet:    www. millersinn.com.au

Step back in time for a momnet and think of something that had a real wow factor then, that now, with greater maturity and hindsight, really wasn’t such a big deal.

For me, going to the Millers Inn brought back some wonderful early 20’s memories for me; of cherished friends from different church/youth groups/cricket teams in the west that have all moved on and contact (with most) long lost.  

The Millers Inn was a big deal in 1980.  A new, big brick pub in the west, so modern, big car park  (yes I was easily pleased) the likes of which had not been seen, it was place to catch up, have a beer or game of pool and talk of nothing of any consequence.

None of us then could have imagined that in 2010, the Prime Minister of Australia would be a local from Altona, and more startlingly, female.

To my surprise after a 30 year absence, there is no overt acknowledgment that Australia’s leader comes from the area.  Surely a case for ‘Julia’s Bistro’ or ‘Tim’s top 5 tips’ for tomorrow’s races in the TAB must have passed through the owners thought processes.

However the pub is owned (partially or fully) by the McGauran family, movers and shakers in the Liberal/National party so any reference to their despised opposition was a million to one.

Not much has changed, except that Altona, once sneered at as another western suburb, has come on in leaps and bounds as far as desirability and cache is concerned.  

As for the Millers, not much has changed also as it runs pretty much to the form card of most mid-outer suburban pubs, with TAB, Public Bar, Bistro, Social Club etc.,  surprisingly no pokies but accommodation (if you are thinking of an overnighter in Altona north).

The bar was comfortably full from start to finish and an absolute tick to the friendly staff and very good draught poured.  The bar stools were very comfortable, at the right height (no vertigo that you get with some) and suited the larger posterior.

I re-iterate: Excellent draught beer and it set me in the mood.  The difference in food pricing between the bar and bistro isn’t that significant and while Grafton Dogs may hold some allure to the diner, it wasn’t for me.

Into the bistro and very quiet (to be fair we sat down at 220) it was table service which may not be offered in busier times. By my estimation, the food was priced right (high teens-mid 20’s) for mains with the showstopper the beef and reef (soooo 80’s) being $34.95.

Indeed there is a lot of 80’s about the Millers, with the décor of the bistro, pastel colours and flamingo pink chairs, clearly influenced by Miami Vice.

What I did like was the sensible pricing of wine and the popular Secret Stone SavB was $27/bottle, which is very, very, good shopping.

A share of the oriental platter - $10.50 – kicked us off.  Hardly any mysteries of the East, it comprised some spring rolls, won-tons and mini dim sims in with a thick, luscious Indonesian soy.

Funny things happen in suburban pubs – A request was made for the Glazed pork fillet, orange and quince glaze (24.95), but sadly not available.  Curiously, the pork stir fry (19.95), slices of fillet was!!. Go figure.

Anyway, it was a neat cook up with Hokkien noodles and a spicy (it was) Cantonese sauce.  Plenty of stir fry vegetables, it made for easy eating.  So too the Veal Parma (19.95) with vegetables was a good buy and a full plate.

Good, safe dining, at pretty much the standard price.

Back into the bar for a quick one, the usual suspects had rolled in and the good natured banter continued.

My best guess is that unlike some big pubs in the ‘burbs, the inhabitants here are all well acquainted and can move seamlessly from one school to another.  The vibe was good.

And so it goes.  It’s time to leave as Millers Rd., clogs up with a stack of transport seeking to get onto the Westgate.

For me though, the memories came flooding back of younger (and I suppose) carefree times and after 30 years, it made for happy recollection on the way home.  Here’s a challenge to you – go to a pub that you haven’t been to for years, (maybe when you were in teachers college or the department of!!) sit quietly, have a drink and take it all in.

Who said nostalgia’s not what it used to be.

Tony's Pub Of The Week 2010

New Reviews: 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. More here.

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