Pub Of The Week: Pig and Whistle Tavern, Olinda
1429 Mt Dandenong Road, Olinda
9751 2366
When?: May 10, 2024
SUMMARY
Genuine old English tavern set in the impossibly beautiful Dandenongs, the Pig and Whistle provides real down to earth hospitality that meets all expectations.
Entering from the main drag, there are two larger than life “telephone booths”, replete with tables and chairs for your own little gathering and further left, perimeter dining on the verandah well shaded/covered by the overarching roof.
Down a small path may be the most picturesque playground for kids in an outdoor setting, swings and slides and fenced in for easy access to your loved ones.
Now time to head inside, and the tavern part of the Pig and Whistle doesn’t disappoint.
It’s timber all the way with two rooms doing the heavy lifting for the dining, (to the right slightly larger), a longish front bar covering both sections of the room, some independent locals such as Stomping Ground, Moon Dog, imports like Speckled Hen and Hobgoblin, and a perfect pour of Guinness ($7/pot).
Hanging from the slightly lowered roof is an array of assorted ephemera such as pewter tankards! Not sure how they got there given the quantity of them suspended.
The Pig and Whistle is a family affair run by brothers, and even on the manic Sunday, nothing phased; the staff worked the floor brilliantly. Quick example which I love;
Me: “A glass of Cab Sav, please.”
P&W: “Sorry, don’t have that one. But we have a ripper from Rob Dolan (excellent winemaker from the Yarra V). It’s called 4 plus 1. Here have a try, if you don’t like, no problems’. $12pg. Excellent drop.
That is hospitality.
Pokies: No
TAB: No
The menu is straightforward with no real entrees, more breads and chips. The P&W rates their parmas which dominates the menu ($29.9).
To go with the traditional, there’s an Irish (bacon/cheese/chip shop curry sauce), or on special, The Italian, (fresh tomato/bocconcini/pesto). This was on special, was well cooked, and comes fully plated with chips and salad. This was one of the meals tried and tasted so good. Also, steak, guinness, potato pot pie (21.9). Bangers and mash, greens, onion jus (29.9 and big serve). This was the other main tried, and passed muster easily. There’s a 300 gram scotch fillet, roasted spuds, onions and mustard butter at $39.9. That’s about the mark. $4 extra for sauce. Hmmm.
And finally, for those into sharing, there’s the “Pommy Plater”, comprising English pork sausages, dry cured bacon, black and white pudding, toast, chips and chip shop curry sauce. Be my guest.
You would have to be extremely flint hearted or go looking for fault to dislike what’s on offer. Genuine, honest efforts going in all the time.
If you are inclined to travel here, a couple of pointers to add to the enjoyment;
- Take to the Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, (either from Burwood Hwy, or Eastern Freeway side). Unless you are a thrill seeker, I wouldn’t be a first timer navigating Inverness Road. There’s a cold sweat in the middle of the night awaiting you,
- Make a day of it. Recommended is the Kalorama Chestnut Festival (first Sunday in May?) on the way up. Looks like a monstrous gathering of locals to celebrate everything, (including chestnuts), in support of local community groups.
- Don’t bet on getting a park in the pub car park: it fills up quickly.
But the Pig and Whistle (the third of the trilogy of P&W’s with Main Ridge, Trentham East, the other two that I know) at Olinda plays its part perfectly in selling the beauty of the Dandenongs with the right offer.
Good place. Great Afternoon.
Score: 14.4.