Pub Of The Week: Tony Leonard visits Stella’s Dromana Hotel
Pub: Stella’s Dromana Hotel
Where: 151 Point Nepean Rd., Dromana
Phone: 5987 1922
Score: 13.5/20
When: December 1, 2017
Web: www.stellasdromanahotel.com.au
VENUE:
2nd review. (last circa 2011)
As the final review of 2017, the glorious day demanded “seaside” and the ever reliable Dromana Hotel was chosen after an absence of 6 years.
Labyrinthine in design, the pub with its golden exterior looks to have had some neat cosmetic changes to the interior, which covers an atrium bar, (the centrepiece), boardwalk cafe, trattoria, bistro and dining rooms all seemingly integrated. Functions, accommodation (12 rooms), the pub covers a massive area, all of which is no more than crossing the road to the water.
Think the good folks at Lego providing the pieces to a pub and you have the idea.
Given the location, the feel of the pub reflects its environs in all manner of food, drink and hospitality and is easy to like. There’s a bit of self-help with service and no doubt that patience is required in summer as the pub becomes very crowded.
TAB Yes/Pokies Yes.
The menu is extensive and goes beyond an anticipated burger/parma/deep fryer mentality so more fair play to them when plenty of seafood highlights the menu.
A nice way to finish the year.
MENU:
All pub favourites are covered, generously portioned so all ages appeal here. It is however all manner of shellfish/seafood that is the go and a ripping offer of seared scallops, bacon, sesame seeds, honey mustard dipper at $15e/$27m strikes a chord.
Plenty of pizza – all done in house – roams around the $20 mark for a large. Duck/Chicken/Steaks aplenty, this is a very good menu to ponder over.
Entrees ( to be fair more half shares) $16, mains $28, desserts $10.
TRIED:
Mussels Delmar. $17e/25m. Very Good. Sitting brilliantly atop a spicy/tomato/garlic/white wine sauce, hint of chilli, these were plump and rich, all sourced from Dromana. Comes with bread and butter, what a great start,
400g Rib eye, caramelised onion, mushroom, mash. $34. Good. Excellent slab of meat, just a fraction over MR – but not much – all the flavours came together to make a terrific, hearty main.
Tiramisu, ice cream. $10. Very Good. italian dessert at its pub best – moist, rich, boozy. Great finish.
DRINK:
Standard offer of Carlton and Lion dominate the taps with the CD excellent and provided in 7oz glasses. Yes, they still exist!!, Wine runs a familiar course, DeBortoli La Boheme Rose suited the seafood beautifully. Beer and wine prices are in line with standard.
SERVICE AND STYLE:
Happy staff covering a stack of territory so big is the area and number of rooms. There is no fault here.
SUMMARY:
The family has run the pub for over 30 years, with Ray Stella mine host for that time. Thankfully his health is improving and his presence, like so many owner/operators, is vital to the hospitality of any pub.
I like seeing someone in charge.
The Dromana is a well run pub and its popularity – like the Rye and Sorrento pubs to name 2 – is well established so if you are looking for that ‘day trip’ over summer then go to the Dromana and take it all in.
Just don’t wander too far within the pub. Like the legendary rock band Spinal Tap getting back exactly where you need to be can be difficult!!
A good way to finish 2017.