Emerald Hotel South Melbourne

User Reviews of Emerald Hotel, South Melbourne

Displaying: 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

7.6 Recommended

Food 6 Drinks 6 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 8

There is a lot to like about this place. First, it is one of a handful of old pubs in Melbourne that has not had the dreaded makeover. The bar is one of the most welcoming bars in Melbourne, the beer is properly cold and poured by people who know the art of pulling beer.

The dining room is understated and cosy. Looks like a good place to spend a few hours. The staff are friendly in a family restaurant kind of way and you are made to feel like you should treat the place as your home.

All good. I am sad to say though, the food does not quite stack up. It's OK, don't get me wrong. My steak was delicious and cooked to order but the "sides" were uninspiring. The chicken kiev was not a kiev. A real kiev is stuffed with butter, herbs and garlic, coated in bread crumbs then fried. This was a piece of chicked grilled then topped with garlic butter. You can't do that to people. The two people who ordered this dish on my table were really disappointed because they got a dish that was nothing like what they were expecting.

The cooks here can cook but probably need to put a bit more effort in. Great place for a drink and ok place for a meal but you leave feeling they could do so much better out of the kitchen.

Jun 04, 2009

melrich
155

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Drinks 9 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 8

This place has a really nice ambience and a traditional pub feel (particularly the bar). You can eat in either the bar area with quite a big bar menu and really reasonable prices or in the bistro which is cosy and ambient. We ate in the bistro and there were quite a few tables filled for a Tuesday night. The service was great, really fast and the food delicious. Four of us shared the Sesame Seed Crumbed Calamari for entree and all were happy with their hearty mains (Lamb Shanks, Barramundi (special), Kiev Marinated Chicken & Steak). Mains were between $22 and $35, but large servings. Overall a lovely spot for dinner with friends.

Aug 20, 2008

sweettooth75
32

2 of 2 readers found the following review helpful

10 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Drinks 10 Ambience 10 Service 10 Value 10

From the moment you walk in the door you're treated as one of family in this family run hotel. No pokies, no pool tables, just a chance to have a drink with friends or a relaxed meal in either the bistro area or the covered beer garden.

The meals are fantastic and hearty - their steaks are divine and cooked to perfection, with a special mention going to the Poppy and sesame seed crumbed calamari...order this dish and you won't be disappointed. The wait staff are welcoming and friendly without being overbearing, and service is always with a smile. There's no doubt that the Lewis family Emerald Hotel is well deserving of the 3AW/De Bortoli Wines Pub of the Year - 1999, and the 3AW/De Bortoli Wines Pub of the Decade - 1999.

Dec 13, 2006