Pub of the Week: Lower Plenty Hotel, Lower Plenty
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Lower Plenty Hotel
Where: 4 Main Rd, Lower Plenty
Phone: 9435 1722
Internet: www.lowerplentyhotel.com.au
SCORE: 13.2/20
SEPTEMBER 11
VENUE: The Lower Plenty Hotel (LPH) is a mainstay of the north perched imperiously above Main Rd on the border of Heidelberg/Lower Plenty.
Set among the eucalypts, there is a genuine prettiness to the pub which boasts one the neatest driveways – over three levels – in Melbourne to its pub front door (if you take that into consideration!!).
Until recently, it was owned and operated by Alex Robertson, legendary publican and philanthropist, and the effort he made in making the LPH a welcoming venue continues today with staff eager to please.
The Terrace Bar greets you first and is a good spot to catch up and have a drink, all shaded by the abundant greenery; inside dining accommodates over 200 diners at one time while kids have a giant playroom.
Drive-in bottle shop is available and the biggest night of the week, parma and pots Thursday, has been known to send out over 300 in one evening.
All things expected over a big, slightly outer suburban pub, are here.
The LPH is a neat, well run pub.
MENU: As expected like its many and similar brethren with a difference (good) that each of the categories are limited e.g, five starters, four pizza, four burgers, 10 mains.
Cauliflower popcorn (increasingly omnipresent on pub menus) and empanadas (filled with spiced beef and egg) highlight the starters; beer battered barramundi, fully plated ($30), and coconut prawn curry ($38) and a whopping chicken parma ($32) are a sample of the mains.
While choice abounds on tap, this is Carlton Draught country out here. $7.5/pot, and well presented.
Wine is very sensibly priced, from familiar labels. Case in point; Pepperjack Shiraz @ $12. I doubt if you can find this popular drop cheaper in a pub in Melbourne.
Average Prices:
Entrees/Starters: $18
Mains: $33
Desserts: $14
Surcharges: 15 per cent food only, public holidays
Beer: $7.5/pot
Wine: $12.5 pg
Roast: $32
Tab: Yes
Pokies: Yes
Jack Ginnivan Steak Index (JGSI): This week; Lower Plenty Hotel, porterhouse, $300g fully plated, choice of sauces, $54.
HIGHLIGHT/S:
Main: Special: Veal schnitzel, fully plated, $34. Proper veal (not corner cut topside) a delightful dish rarely seen on pub menus. Everything was well presented, plentiful and the salad was fresh (recommend you always check, some are sent out wan and lifeless).
Something Different to Eat: Starter: Empanadas, $18. Again a rare seen starter, these lovely pastries with Spanish spiced beef and egg, with a chimichurri aioli, made for a tasty entree. All good.
Summary: The former owner Alex Roberstson was a fine publican who adored the game and knew the importance of your local pub to the community. He would be well pleased to know that the baton passed on is running well and its popularity is still high.
The LPH is a good, solid pub.