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Gold Diggers Arms Hotel

Where: 87 Skene St, Newtown

Phone: 5221 5441

Internet: www.golddiggersarms.com.au

SCORE: 14.7/20

MAY 1

VENUE: This is a magnificent throwback to an era long past. In the backstreets of Geelong, a narrow, anonymous street guides you to this brick beauty. The Gold Diggers Arms genuinely falls into the category of much loved and generations of lads and ladettes have a story to tell about being here. Especially those from College.

The brick work is ornate (if that’s possible for brickwork) with distinct sharp angles visible from the street corner. Entering it is slightly split level; the narrow corridor leading to a quasi sports bar (small TAB/No Pokies), the front bar first port of call to catch up and socialise.

All the while, the wooden venetians give a warm and subdued atmosphere to the pub.

The slightly raised dining room is sufficiently spacious without feeling lost. The wooden tables and chairs sit atop a lush old time carpet and table service is laid on. The Gold Diggers is an enduring postcard of your time in a pub.

But the modern offer demands service is provided in deed and word and while the website is compact, its socials are on point subtly encouraging you to steak night, Monday, full plated porterhouse @$25, or pork and fennel snags, Tuesday @$15.

A pub well run with all ages appeal, The Gold Diggers really is a treasure of Geelong.

MENU: The honour roll of pub classics is proudly showcased here;

Entree:
Pan grilled prawns, lemon, garlic and parsley butter $16/$30, chefs croquettes (3/$15) with aioli (3) are a sample from a choice of eight or so starters, the latter always on rotation.

Main:
Crumbed lamb cutlets ($38) are served with peas, mash, mint or gravy, pork and herb sausages w/ mash potato, green beans, red onion jam and house gravy ($28), are both old school classics.

Grilled barramundi, cafe de Paris butter, potato rosti, vegetables adorn most pub menus. Here it is $38, beautifully presented.

Dessert:
Apple strudel ($14), vanilla bean, is a rich large slab, great flavours and great finish to any pub meal. Ditto the sticky date.

Carlton and united dominate the beer taps, with wines chosen from well known providers such as Mitchellton, Shaw and Smith, Mountadam, the latter’s chardonnay at a reasonable $15pg.

Average Prices:

Entrees/starters: $17

Mains: $34 (steaks from $42)

Desserts: $14

Surcharges: None displayed.

Beer: Carlton D schooey, $10.80

Wine: $15 pg

Roast: ($30)

Tab: Yes (terminals)
Pokies: No

Jack Ginnivan Steak Index (JGSI): This week; Gold Diggers Arms Hotel, Newtown, 300g Cape Grim porterhouse, $42, chips/salad extra.

HIGHLIGHT/S:

Main: Beef cheek, $36 w/red wine jus, mashed potato, roast baby carrots, onion rings. Rich, textural, this piece of cheek, literally fell apart on the touch of a knife.

This is part of the pub’s winter warmers, and has a decent shave from the usual price.

Something Different to Eat: Camembert, honey roasted camembert cheese, red onion jam, cornichons, sourdough, $18. Large round of camembert get the full treatment making for an ideal starter.

Warm, milky/creamy/tasty, the support cast work perfectly. Excellent share.

Summary: If you detect a theme of nostalgia in the foregoing you are right. A first time visit has left me wanting to head there again. The pub, and those charged with running it, just get it.

Gold Diggers Arms, Geelong. As the legendary TV host/salesman Hal Todd said of Del Monti Suits … ‘Looks Good. Feels Good. Is Good’.