PUB: Courthouse Hotel
WHERE? 86-90 Errol St., North Melbourne.
PHONE: 9329 5394
DATE: July 29, 2016.
SCORE: 13/20
WEB: www.courthouseonerrol.com.au
VENUE
Third review (first under new owners).
One of the genuine holders of the lofty descriptor "gastropub" in the last decade, (in truth, there was only a couple really in Melbourne), new owners have taken over this much loved pub in the shadows of the NM Town Hall in the past three years.
The distinguishing sandy brick exterior with half height brown tiles remain, and the revamp carried out some 12 years ago still looks good inside with a 3 level area for food and drink, with a slight change to the main dining room now housed at street level.
The lovely curved dark wood front bar remains with perimeter stools/benches.
The Courthouse has chosen not to replicate the high end food and drink of its predecessor but the personal touches and female friendly vibe welcomes. The menu is good solid pub grub, fairly priced with a bit of flair; ditto the wine.
MENU
The pub splits its menu with the bar offering Arancini (pumpkin/spinach - 5 pieces for $8), Lightly dusted calamari (12) and southern chicken, house aioli for $14. Burgers of Chicken, Beef, Pork, (this pulled with tortilla and coleslaw, sour cream) in a range of $18-23.
Mains offer good basic pubgrub but also a few dishes that extend the kitchen, such as, Roasted Pork Fillet, fennel, chat potatoes, bok choi, finished in an orange cinnamon sauce, (31), or Pan Fried Veal Fillets, topped with a bacon, capsicum & mushroom sauce, served with seasonal veg & creamy potato mash. (32). 4 styles of Pizza is offered at $14-16, so all bases of comfort food are there.
Entrees $10, Mains $25, Desserts $12.
TRIED
Crispy Squid, dusted in chilli & sea salt served with a lime aioli. $12. OK. Good jumble of squid, but the added flavours were minimal and gave nought to the dish, meh.
Juicy Lucy Burger - House made beef patty, bacon, tomato, beetroot relish, Cheddar & fries. $18. Really Good. Everything in the burger worked and loved the beetroot relish.
Double tick for the genuine homemade chips. Served on a wooden paddle, it is easy to see why this is a favorite.
Crispy Skin Atlantic Salmon, chats and steamed vegetable - $29. Good. Well portioned rectangle of fish, tasty, crispy skin, good veg, good pub dish.
DRINK
Beer options have been pared significantly and a range of CUB/Matilda Bay is offered. Minimum of Chips/Peroni/Coldstream/Fat Yak are some of the taps. So was Carlton D and no problems there.
Wine too is nowhere near as encyclopedic but if you want to ramp it up 2009 Atze's Corner.
"Eddies Old Vine from the Barossa comes in a touch over 3 figures!!. Most options fall in mid $40s which is now the mark.
SERVICE AND STYLE
Friendly, approachable, and eager to serve.
Young bloke behind the jump confident but good can do attitude though. Owner/operators doing their best.
No TAB, No Pokies.
SUMMARY
Always a tough gig following someone in that had the reputation, but the Courthouse Mk2 is a very solid citizen.
