Pub of the Week: Elephant and Castle Hotel, Geelong
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Elephant and Castle Hotel
Where: 158 McKillop St, Geelong
Phone: 5221 3707
SCORE: 14.9/20
Website: elephantandcastle.com.au
FEBRUARY 11
VENUE: Eastern side of Geelong, a lovely old brick pub, adorned by a golden elephant as its beacon from the first floor, the EAC is a wonderful pub, set aside from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Inside is anathema to its exterior; modern everything inside, including a lovely colour combination resembling more Fitzroy FC than the local Cats.
Its walls are bursting with photos and prints which is no surprise given its owner is Darryn Lyons, famous photographer and mayor that combines some of his works with prints of Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe and Campbells soup.
The big front bar is slightly elevated and very well set out and the compact inside dining is set out over two rooms. Table service provided and an interesting pub menu engages. The beer garden is brick and modern and plays host to live weekend music, a feature of the EAC.
The pub trades Wednesday – Sunday, and credit to them offering lunch special – $22 with a drink on seven selected mains on all days bar Sunday. There are specials’ nights dotted throughout the week…
Tap beer is very good and treads safe and familiar path. Carlton D, Great Northern, Pirate Life. Happy hour, Wednesdays – Fridays, 4-6pm offers schooners $7.5, selected wines.
Wine list is a beauty and its support of locals – eg. Bannockburn, Mt Duneed, Scotchmans Hill – is a credit to them. The per glass is $12 (average) and an excellent 6ft6 Pinot Gris is $12.5//48/bottle (Bellarine) which in a pub is unfailingly fair.
HIGHLIGHTS:
-Seared scallops (4), pea puree, Japanese yuzu, pickled papaya. Perfect cooked scallops, slightly translucent, moist, are plated with a trio of interesting flavors that all work so well. Fine entree.
-Wagyu burger, bacon, cheese, pickles, sauce, milk bun, chips, aioli, $27. (Lunch special $22 and includes a beer/wine). Big, filling, tasty burger, a ripping lunch special five days a week.
Something Different to Eat: All bases are well covered here, but noticed across the adjacent park from the pub was a shop called Pizza with Attitude. Never come across a place called that before.
Surcharges: 15 per cent public holidays food/drink. Five per cent drinks only after 9:30pm Saturdays. None other, e.g. cards/weekends listed (Feb 25).
Also: Pokies: No; Tab: No; Foxtel: Yes
Summary: The EAC’s reputation is already established as being as bankable as any in Geelong. Easy to see why, everything done here is just that little bit better than you’d expect.
Just a good pub.