Pub:  Terminus Hotel
Where:  492 Queens Pde Clifton Hill
Phone:  9481 3182
Date: 9 April 2010
Score: 15.4/20
Internet: www.terminus.com.au

The Terminus is a great pub.

The Terminus does (almost) everything right.

The Terminus has great food, with Melbourne’s best pub burger and chips

The Terminus has an extensive range of tap beers.

The Terminus prices its offer fairly.

The Terminus makes you feel welcome on arrival.

The Terminus has a cheap parma night ($12 Tuesdays) and is superior to most.

The Terminus has a wine list that has a point of difference.

The Terminus does not have a TAB/Pokie

The Terminus is an owner operator pub.

In keeping with the tradition started by the Herald-Sun of ’10 reasons why we say Christine Nixon must be sacked!’, I thought I’d give you the equivalent in support of this fine old pub at the Clifton Hill public transport interchange.

Bordering CH and Northcote, this is a first time visit, but for some time now has gathered a very loyal following from locals.

It is easy to see why:  Traditional, comfortable friendly front bar, neat dining room, candlelit, (table service a given), courtyard, and a good can-do vibe is but part of the package.

Food’s very good, superior pub grub, and apart from a slip-up on my beer (ordered Carlton draught and got something else) the night was wonderful.  

Like many of its type in the inner ‘burbs, lunch is a rarity with Fridays the only weekday for this.  The night I went (Tuesday) was near enough full, be it the parma night – normally $19.9 down to $12 – or those coming for the trivia.

Bustling busy, the staff ensures no one is left waiting.  Chef and owner Matt Merrick bangs out a menu that places in the 20 of Melbourne’s pubs in my opinion.  Go to  the website to see what he is doing and then head there and sample.

Tried was;

• Twice baked blue spanner crab soufflé - $11.90.  More please of this light, moist, rich in fish soufflé,

• 250g grass fed sirloin - $29 – with the signature fat chips, pepper sauce and light, fresh mixed leaf salad.  This is how pubs steaks should be and a serious competitor to the ones banged out by the outstanding Station Hotel in Footscray,

• Beef burger  (wagyu), feta cheese, pickles, tomato relish and fat chips – 20.50.  Ok, you’re thinking high price for a pub burger.  I say without hesitation – The best pub burger I have tried.  The relish is a special.

• Amherst shiraz  (pyrenees) - $9/glass.  A reasonable mark-up on a sensational glass of red wine.

The only let down (and small too) was the beer ordered. Whether it was a mistake and the wrong one pulled, I didn’t get what I asked for (although it was far from unpleasant whatever I had!).  But CD it wasn’t.  I was told there had been trouble with the lines.  If that was the case, I should have been told.

However, I believe it was an honest blue and was only a blip on what was a terrific night out.

Clearly I am not the first to discover the Terminus given its obvious popularity on entering.

But, as I have said before, these are the pubs that give Melbourne’s its reputation for having the best pubs in Australia, and as Ryan Seacrest on American Idol would say, you gotta vote to keep your favourite in the competition.

The Terminus in Clifton Hill is one such deserving of your vote.

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.