Pub of the Week: The Dick Whittington Tavern, St Kilda East
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The Dick Whittington Tavern
Where: 32 Chapel St, St. Kilda East
Phone: 9525 4250
Internet: thedick.au
SCORE: 13.7/20
JUNE 20
VENUE: Grand old stayer in Chapel Street, away from the hustle and bustle is a genuine neighbourhood pub that rolls on surely and steadily.
The Dick Whittington is much loved and somewhat of a trailblazer, being one of the first homes to the burgeoning Melbourne Comedy scene of the early 1980s.
Every up and comer tried their wares live with various measures of success, none more important and influential than the Whittle Family, to those who later followed and ‘made it’.
Now with its suburban surroundings, The Dick (yep, sorry) is home to the mums and dads that may have been rebel rousers back in the day of Slim and Tammy when 1am closing was in its infancy.
The pub, (bottleshop/beer garden sits alongside this old pub), has an inviting well-worn feel. In essence, the layout is like a corporate pie-chart; ¼ pokies, ¼ sport bar, ½ dining/bistro. The dining room is partitioned away from bar/pokies. No area imposes on the other.
TAB: Yes
Pokies: Yes
Good starters are highlighted by sautéed garlic tiger prawns ($18) w/rocket, lemon, chipotle mayo. Six medium sized fresh prawns made for fine eating. Liked the look of fried calamari ($17) w/ Greek salad, garlic mayo, lemon.
The dining room houses a blazing fireplace, comfy large chairs and a small bar, serviced by happy staff.
Chicken schnitzel ($25), steak chips, garden salad, gravy, or fish and chips ($27) beer battered barramundi, garden salad, lemon, tartare sauce are some of the standard mains. Just these examples indicate a fairness in price across the board.
All the favourite meal deals are dotted throughout the week, highlighted by a $28 roast on Sundays. The standard roast daily, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, slow roast brisket, garlic chats, glazed carrots, peas, gravy ($30, with a drink) was a beauty.
Small, interesting wine list supports the food, Vickery Riesling ($11pg) and Rob Dolan Pinot Noir ($13pg), offer examples of this. A fine pot of CD ($7.5) rounds it out.
This is a pub working on all levels.
HIGHLIGHT/S:
-Bangers and mash. Pork and fennel sausages, creamy mash, onion jam, jus, $25. Too easily dismissed but when they are as tightly packed as these two snags, fennel levels noticeable but not overpowering, great back up band, and it’s bitterly cold outside, your comfort levels go through the roof after a plate of this.
Something Different to Eat: Saganaki, honey, raisins, flambeed at your table with white Sambuca, $17. On special, but what a throwback to a time when the crepes were set alight at your table with cointreau and we all stared in disbelief!!
This version was both a visual and tasty treat. One of the more memorable for 2025.
Surcharges: 10 per cent on Sundays//15 per cent on public holidays.
Summary: The Dick Whittington is a good suburban pub, one which you would be thrilled to be part of your neighbourhood.
Good service, good food, good surroundings. IF you have one like this near you, love it to death.
Even though it seems out of place now, the Dick Whittington, like your favourite old cardigan, fits in beautifully.
Image: iStock