Pub Of The Week: Tony Leonard reviews the Bridge Hotel, Werribee

Bridge Hotel

9742 2895
www.bridgehotelwerribee.com.au

Where? 197 Watton Street, Werribee.

When? October 29, 2021.

VENUE

There has been a quiet food revolution that has taken place in Werribee over the past few years with smart offerings abounding and popping up at a rapid rate.

Over a year ago, smart operators took over today’s Pub of the Week – Bridge Hotel – and without drastically changing the aesthetics in look and feel have created a fine option to consider for the leisure dollar spend in the mid-outer West of town.

The old pub look is retained  – there a large temporary canopy at the front in Watton St  housing 40 or so when fully operational – to the spacious oblong bar for having one and ample seating for dining.

Timber and brick is the simple formula and it works.

Staff on the “first day back” had outstanding adherence to the current rules but the willingness to serve and ensure you had a good time was refreshing and a reminder that great hospitality in pubs is its primary focus.

The menu, while familiar, had some nice touches to elevate it beyond the tedium – the same with drinks –  and considered as a package the Bridge strode a confident path.  Just a word to the operators – and you’re not alone – but please keep the pricing/items available on the website in line with that charged in house.

Along with the Park Hotel at the other end of the main street of Werribee, it again proved  that the right,  appealing offer will work in any location.

Add the Bridge Hotel to this list.

FOOD/DRINK

The Bridge offers a great with prices bang on in a pub.

BBQ Lamb Skewers w Tzatziki, Cumin and Preserved Lemon (2)  at $17 make for an excellent share, while Pan Fried Saganaki w. Honey, Figs, Lemon and Mint ($14) or Fried Calamari w. Tomatillo and Mint Sauce (16) show a desire to offer different starters.  Yep, there’s Dips, breads, Chips if that’s more your thing.

Same deal with the mains. Bangers & Mash w. Braised Red Cabbage and Gravy  $26,  Mushroom Fettuccine w. Swiss Brown, Porcini and Parmesan $28, Moroccan Braised Lamb w. Blood orange and almond and couscous salad $34.

Three days to remember in the week:  Tuesday for Parma, Thursday Night Steak, Sunday Roast.  All full whack, all $18.

Carlton D at 5.5 was fine and the wine list reads differently e.g Toolangi Chardonnay or Stonehouse Shiraz.  Average prices are $12pg//55-60/btle. This is around the mark in most pubs.

The average prices are;

• Entrees –  $12
• Mains – $26
• Dessert – $12

Tried was;

• Potato Cakes, garlic aioli, chilli salt. 3 for $9// Cheese and Leek Croquettes w/saffron aioli 3 for $9. Still surprised few pubs do housemade potato cakes.  Here the batter was crisp and light, and these pair so well with beer.  The croquettes were tasty and fairly sized.
• Sirloin, grain fed, 250g, chips, salad, pepper sauce. $28. Fair price for this pub favourite that sooner than later will go through $30 for the quality. All elements get a good pass  (served rare as ordered which doesn’t happen too often). Slight miss was the pepper sauce,  just lacking that distinctive peppery punch.
• Bridge Parma, chips, salad, gravy. $30. Massive meal, thick block of chicken,  excellent salad and fries. If for no other reason, this has to be the first tried on returning to a night out in a pub.  For some reason, they just taste better here.

SUMMARY 

Almost one year to the day, Melbourne comes out of a lockdown and pubs can start re-trading, albeit with reduced density limits, and the focus remains as much on adherence and good corporate citizenship as it does for the provision of hospitality.

Thrilled that the Bridge, in a most unassuming way, delivers on both, Service was attentive and friendly;  the food and drink was appealing on all levels.

But here’s the rub:  this is exactly what pubs have done since March 2020 when allowed to trade despite having been subjected to as tough a list of restrictions as any businesses, anywhere.  As soon as possible it should be gloves off in all facets your pub life and full trading being the norm.

The Bridge Hotel in Werribee did it in spades.

SCORE: 13.5/20