Pub of the Week: The Palace Hotel, South Melbourne
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The Palace Hotel
Where: 505-507 City Rd, South Melbourne
Phone: 9682 3177
Internet: thepalacehotel.com.au
SCORE: 14/20
MAY 15
VENUE: Over the journey, this long time staple of Port Melbourne has worn a few aliases, Partners Tavern being one such, Luke Mangan at the Palace another, but its capacity to change with the times has never been an issue.
Being one of the first in Melbourne to be canine friendly is an example that makes this pub in South/Port Melbourne so bankable, and its current iteration of back to basics with a spotlessly clean pub, working class (yes children, there was a time that this was the case here), happy to see you attitude, that makes the Palace tick over without missing a beat.
Right on the dog-leg of City Rd, (think Mt. Gambier racecourse), the six day a week trade must be hard (11:45am start) but the neat two storey, greyish exterior, is supported by a pretty as a picture beer garen, convivial multi sided front bar, sealed concrete floors, exposed kitchen with a second small outside area housing a multitude of pot plants.
The patronage is constant, the service genuinely affable; it’s a two way street that makes this work and engenders repeat business. Front bar with the Fox Sports, two dining rooms to enjoy a most solid offer of food and drink.
Tab: No
Pokies: No
Starters have points of difference throughout. Traditional pork & sage scotch egg ($13), creole spiced chicken tenders, coleslaw, pickles & coconut ranch aioli ($18) are two of ten, any of which is inviting eating.
Mains cover familiar territory, e.g, battered or grilled fish & chips, tartar sauce & salad ($27), (note grilled is offered), wagyu burger, lettuce, tomato, bacon & cheese, burger sauce & chips ($28).
Good news: a 250g porterhouse, fully plated, is $33. This is rare air, when not on a special night.
The Palace loves independent beers and charges fairly. Currently the Stomping Ground pale ale is on special, $11/pint, all/every day in June. Good CD is $7.50/pot, with some British brews, Hobgoblin/Speckled Hen in the mix.
Wine is $13pg/$55/bottle, and fitting in at that price is Round Two Chardonnay Barossa Valley. Good drinking.
Lunch deals/happy hours/trivia/meats trays are all part of the package.
HIGHLIGHT/S:
– Roast of the day, $29, lamb, a beauty, succulent, touch of blush on the meat, the generous serve of lamb comes with pumpkin, potatoes, broccolini, cauliflower cheese, gravy, Yorkshire pub.
This is a glorious time for pubs in Melbourne in winter, doing roasts. The offer from the Palace stands up well against all comers.
Something Different to Eat: Salt & vinegar mini potato cakes, lemon & sriracha aioli, $16. Never understood why more pubs don’t do these all time, go to favourites as part of entrees. They never miss!
Surcharges: 15 per cent on public holidays.
Summary: In adjoining suburbs, (Port/South Melbourne), the competition for the leisure dollar has forever been fierce. No need to accentuate how tougher times are now.
Yet places like the Palace tick over steadily without the need to change anything drastic.
Good food/beer/atmosphere, warm welcome, staff excellent.
Simply put, it just works: The Palace, South Melbourne.