Pub:  Mona Castle Hotel
Where:  53 Austin St., Seddon  
Phone:  9687 7636
Date:  22 January 2010
Score:  13.6/20
Internet:  http://www.monacastlehotel.com.au/

Welcome to 2010 – The Mona Castle Hotel is the first review and what a charming, quaint, good old fashioned hotel to kick the year off.

As you know self praise is no praise but I thought I would lift their words from the website (good) as to what they think of their little pub;

"a sure candidate for an endangered species list – a small, friendly, dependable local pub with all the trimmings"

Now, accuracy can be rubbery when praising your own work, but this is spot on! Simply it is what you would want your local to be.

On the balmy, late January night, the place was rocking. OK, a $12 pot and parma on Wednesdays is a winner, but a crowd on the footpath or in the smoke free beer garden having a quiet one was just as comfortable there, as those chowing down in the natty, clean, bistro.

The large front bar is Footscray old school equipped with a TAB – there are discreet sitting areas in what I would describe as 'ante’ rooms. It is not a gastro pub, using its well worn facade as a selling point; it is a fine local in the feel and mould of the much loved Rose Hotel in Fitzroy.

Gary and Tracy are the guv'nors working hard to keep their pub up to the mark (and succeeding) while doing the long hours for the all aged locals (9am start, 6 days a week is a rarity in 2010).

Food was interesting, wine was fairly priced and table service provided – all big ticks.

I passed on the Parma, although it looked very tempting.

The entree was this delicious serve of lamb kofte (5 balls) - $8.90 – baked in a tomato sauce and served with cucumber yoghurt. Now that is a proper entree, all prepared and made from their kitchen.

On to the mains, and again the choices made for interesting reading.  

The most popular dish (according to the MC) is Simon's Chicken Breast ($18.90). The fillet is split, oven baked, and stuffed with mushrooms, fetta, bocconcini, pesto, spinach, and comes with mash and vegetables. 

To me, this is real value for money at a price that could easily be charged in the low $20s and no one would argue.

Spaghetti Pescatore ($19.90), fresh seafood through the pasta was again plentiful. The hint of chilli was noticeable, ( I loved it, wife found it too sharp), and the addition of baby octopus gave the dish a point of difference.  

Most wines are under $30 and a glass of Glazebrook Pinot Grigio ($6.4 or 29/bottle) and Eldrege Reisling (similar price) were tried.  

A lovely, fresh, cleansing ale finished the night and then time to leave.

The Mona Castle is an early year recommendation. The location is a little off the beaten path, but there is a stack of street parking. It is a worth a visit.

When publicans put such a friendly package like this together, it is hard not to barrack for them to succeed.

Unashamedly, I am a fan.