Pub Of The Week: Tony Leonard reviews the Greendale Pub

The Greendale Pub

3-5 Greendale/Myrniong Road, Greendale.
5368 1355

When? April 28, 2023.
www.thegreendale.com.au

VENUE: 

Maybe 20 minutes on from Bacchus Marsh is the Greendale Pub. With more than just a hint of Aussie depreciation, it bills itself as ….’Still the best pub in Greendale’,  It continues with another braggadocious claim of having the best Pizza in Greendale.

Well it’s true on a number of levels, notwithstanding the fact that this is a wonderful throwback of pub life crystallised for generations, but the township is home to around 600 residents so such claims are warranted!

You wouldn’t want to be on the outer with a rival business.

The Greendale Pub is a beauty. Three parts to it; a general store, function room/shed separate to the pub for all gatherings in the area, and a small, three-room affair with a small bar, and two dining areas.

Timber on timber, warm welcome literal and figurative, much happens within with a happy community vibe enjoying a focal point to meet, greet and chat, all within glorious rolling hills as the backdrop.

It is impossible to dislike as its remote-ish location – around 80kms from town – is as welcome as any old fashioned pub that we so dearly crave. There is little doubt that its trading fortunes have fluctuated along the journey, but with an engaging social media presence, you will barrack for its success.

Clearly no TAB  / No Pokies.

Don’t be lured into thinking that the food is just imported and heated up. Most items from an engaging menu are knocked up from scratch and the selection of beers  have their point of difference.

Simply, the Greendale is worth the drive from town. Sit back and enjoy.

FOOD/DRINK

Clever, hearty pub grub describes the offerings here, priced about the median for good food in a hotel.

Entrees number 8 or so, with Prawn Twisters (6 for 15) are helped out with a house made sweet chili dipper, Cajun Chicken Bites (15) come with a ranch dipping sauce and Arancini (4/15) are changed regularly.

Mains – including Greendale’s best pizza priced at $15 small/22 large have a showstopper of hot salami, olives, cheese, mushrooms, capsicum and Double Pineapple. Be my guest. There’s about 18 others.

All mains fully plated. Lamb Gyros, tzatziki, goats cheese, pita, salad is $24, Lamb Shank (27/35) gets the full treatment of mushroom, carrot, onion, mash and homemade gravy. Parmas, Burgers, Pasta are obvious inclusions with a Cape Grim Scotch, 300g, your choice of 2 sides and a  sauce at $44.

Good mix of commercial beer from the old time wooden bar top  is well served with Carlton Draught sitting alongside some proud independents (Holgate for one). Wine is sourced through asking and picking from the shelf or fridge!  Always dependable Pepperjack Cab Sav @10pg struck a chord.

The average meal prices (bistro) are;

• Entrees –  $15
• Mains – $27
• Desserts – not really

Tried was…

• 4/$15. Good sized Mushroom Arancini, with A White Wine Arancini – mix really works – were this week’s offer. Really tasty, excellent start.
• 300gm w/2 sides and sauce. $36. Cooked rare-ish, scalloped potatoes, yes!, plenty of winter veg, this was a true pub beauty. Fairly priced (sides normally 5/ea), generous serve.
• Steak Sanga. $24. Cape Grim Scotch, about 150g, with the full whack of favourite fillings including Grilled onions. Great value, great eating.

SUMMARY 

Coming from Ballarat Road/Western Hwy, you descend into this quaint township and spy the old pub on the right. Like a glorious country homestead, you can’t help but hope the outside is matched by the vibe inside.

Ten seconds in, you get it: It does. The Sunday afternoon singer – Dan? – captures the mood with excellent interpretations at the right volume of much loved songs. You want him to keep going.

These pubs are a rarity;  the businesses too fickle to sustain a lifestyle so an extra tick to young couple who rolled up the sleeves and taken it on. And it’s working.

For a township of 600, the fact that 3 night a week, there’s either a steak night or a Parma night or a pizza night . You have been  told it’s the best in Greendale!  As the pub mantra goes.. ‘Support your local’.

The Greendale is well worth supporting.

Score: 15/20