Pub of the Week: Railway Club Hotel, Port Melbourne
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Railway Club Hotel
Where: 107 Raglan St, Port Melbourne
Phone: 9645 1661
Internet: www.railwayclubhotel.com.au
SCORE: 16.5/20
NOVEMBER 7
VENUE: After a few years absence and a change of management, you may be inclined to think that one of the five most bankable pubs in Melbourne would be slowing down and shards of complacency may start to creep in.
That there would be a credible challenger to the ‘best pub for steaks’ arise to knock the King from its throne.
That with all economic gloom, its pursuit of pub excellence may have to reflect a more modest ambition, as the premium product has always been reflected in its pricing.
The Railway Club Hotel, Raglan St, Port Melbourne, parallel to the Light Rail, still buzzes at full capacity most major trading days of the week. So let’s count the ways;
● Complete table service
● Excellent napery/cutlery
● Bread/butter/chilled water all provided without prompt
● Wonderful sporting memorabilia encasing the walls
● Fabulous front and back bar
● Spotlessly clean and importantly,
● Switched on staff, nothing too much trouble attitude
Tab: Yes (front bar)
Pokies: No
A great range of starters/mains, encyclopedic wine (overwhelmingly red) menus, make reading the offer before ordering a delight.
Change is constant in your mind before deciding. And even with the array of sporting nods surrounding you, it doesn’t intrude at all.
Here’s but a sample (from me) on offer:
Starter: Tiger prawns (4/$28), chilli/garlic butter, preserved lemon, rocket/fennel salad.
Main: Cape Grim porterhouse, fat chips, bearnaise, 300g, $54.
Dessert: Churros, chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream, $17.
Wine: Tobreck Shiraz Woodcutters $15pg.
Each of the above can easily be shared for a fabulous pub experience. Fine draught beer ($8.2/pot, hmmm) is sourced mainly from the Carlton range.
HIGHLIGHT/S:
Main. Your choice of steak from Robbins Island, Cape Grim, Bass Strait, etc.
Always get the hand cut fat chips! (but the french fries are fine also), the steaks are premium quality and cooked to order.
Something Different to Eat: Entree: Cevapcici ($4/25). Eye fillet sausages, spanish onion, olive tapenade. Good size, great support cast, ultra tasty.
It was always a long time staple The Vine, Collingwood, and good to see it make a rare appearance here.
Surcharges: None displayed.
Summary: In 2020, De Bortoli announced its pubs of the decade (2011-20). The three pubs were; Lincoln Carlton, Grand Richmond and Railway Club Port Melbourne.
All of them share one thing in common that makes them so beloved: Consistent excellence in pub hospitality.
The Railway Club, for as long as anyone can remember, remains a most trusted staple of Melbourne pub life.