Pub of the Week: First and Last Hotel, Coburg North
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First and Last Hotel
Where: 1141 Sydney Road, Coburg North
Phone: 9354 1751
Internet: www.firstandlasthotel.com.au
SCORE: 12.4/20
MARCH 21
VENUE: Fairly typical outer-ish suburban pub with full gaming/tote/sports bar, the First and Last (F&L) has a steady as we go offer in food and drink.
Located in the shadows of Fawkner Cemetery in North Coburg/Hadfield/Fawkner (yes there are 3 references) the pub has a wild west saloon feel to it in the spacious dining room. There is a kids playroom attached so the family feel is here.
The F&L trades 18 hours/day, seven day/week, like many of its gaming brethren, and the staff exude a pleasant welcome. Merlynston station on the Gowrie line is 500 metres away.
The standard specials are plentifully applied. Punters club Saturdays, $20 parma night Wednesdays, jag the joker, free pool Sundays and a two hour happy hour with $7 schooners etc.
You know the drill!
The menu runs through familiar territory. Chicken wings – 6/12 ($13/19) honey, soy/buffalo/ BBQ, are genuinely tasty and meaty, and the flavour sits well.
Seafood tray, tempura scallops, prawn twisters, calamari rings, battered fish, chips, tartare ($32) while listed in the starters are made for a share.
Pastas/steaks/chicken dishes run a familiar line also.
More fair play to the F&L in regard to the wine list. Prices are fair and $10per glass is the most paid for a Pepperjack Shiraz, Grant Burge Merlot, or Pizzini Pinot G.
HIGHLIGHT/S:
– Pork cutlet, 300g, roasted chats, broccolini, peppercorn sauce ($40). Really fine piece of meat, well cooked, thick tasty sauce, just let down by over-salted potato. Just a bit more care in the finish and this would sit well at any pub.
Something Different to Eat: Grilled Afghan bread, capsicum and hummus dips, pickled veg, pea tendrils ($18). This is a different starter for sure and never seen (by me) on a pokies dining menu. Good on them.
Surcharges: None on cards//10 per cent on public holidays.
Also: Pokies: Yes; Tab: Yes; Foxtel: Yes
Summary: There is no reinvention of wheels here. This is suburban pub 101, with everything you would expect to get in any part of Melbourne that constitutes “outer suburbs”.
That said, no real faults here at the First and Last North Coburg/Fawkner/Hadfield. You choose the suburb!
Image: iStock