There are fewer and fewer traditional pubs around these days given the rise of the family, hipster and food-oriented drinking holes. If that means fewer pokies I suppose it’s not all that bad, but I fear we may get to a day when the older male has nowhere to comfortably, and affordably, down his daily schooners.
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| Dining room at The Commodore Hotel, |
While The Commodore in McMahons Point retains a pub feel, its expansive outdoor terrace beer garden and rather upscale dining area position it towards the working professional; aided by its awarded casual dining menu.
The Commodore’s Warm Winter Curry Wednesdays tempted me over the bridge and into the stylish, cosy bistro where it’s drinks from the bar and grab a number for your food.
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| Beef massaman curry with jasmine rice |
I couldn’t go past the day’s curry: a beef
massaman served with jasmine rice. The serving of curry, large and quick out of the kitchen, was covered in crushed peanuts and was delivered with a smallish serve of rice and a warmed piece of thin pita/wrap bread.
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| Beef massaman curry with jasmine rice |
The curry was on the sweeter side of things, and comprised halved chat potatoes and gigantic slices of beef cooked soft. While it wasn’t particularly authentic, there was no complaining about the generosity and warmth of the dish.
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| Braised lamb pappardelle |
Pasta isn’t so much a typical pub dish but the hearty braised lamb pappardelle shone with its gorgeous ribbons of pasta and a wealth of soft lamb pulled from the bone. The rich braise was completely winter appropriate though I yearned for the lightening acidity of tomato.
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| Rocket, fennel and parmesan salad |
I love a generous side dish and don’t mind the 1990s rocket association one bit. The less abundant fennel was quite the decent addition to the regular suspects of rocket and parmesan cheese.
While it’s beer (or cider) all the way in a pub during summer, a pinot noir was fitting for a winter curry night although I’m not sure what a pinot noir doesn’t go with. Red wine in a pub like The Commodore is just fine – as long as there’s space at the bar for schooner sessions too.
Food, booze and shoes dined as a guest of the Commodore Hotel.
10 comments:
The beef massaman curry looks to die for! I just want to scrape up every bit of the curry with the bread.
I've never known curry to be pub food. Regardless, what a hearty feed. Definitely looks like some great dishes to be shared (or not) on a chilly winter's night.
God, it has been years since I visited the Commodore! We used to go there for lunch when I worked in North Sydney. I don't even remember the food!
It's been many, many years since I set foot in the Commodore. It was usually just for Friday night drinks but once we had a meal there. I remember it was really nice. Time for a revisit, methinks!
braised lamb pasta sounds great right about now and its breakfast time!
I love the sound of that lamb dish! Wow. Isn't it great to get a cozy warm dish with your schooner?
Love fennel! The lamb pappardelle sounds delish.
Big servings indeed! I'm always glad to find pubs that do decent food as opposed to just wedges and nachos.
Hi Food is our religion - Yeah, the bread was an interesting accompaniment with a Thai curry, but it worked!
Hi Tina - Hmm, I know a few pubs that do curry, especially when it's cold. Decent pasta in a pub, however, now that's a rarity..!
Hi Lorraine - There might have been some updates on the menu; it's won some awards for its pub grub!
Hi John - Nothing like revisiting good times of the past. As long as we remember that things indeed change...
Hi suze - Oh, I'm totally a pasta for brekky kinda girl!
Hi SarahKate - I actually had a Pinot noir.... We could call this my winter of Pinot noir really :)
Hi Helen - Mmm, fennel and rocket is like win-win!
Hi gabby - Agree, though sometimes wedges (with sour cream and sweet chilli!) just hit the spot so well :D
We loved having you Tina, the photos look amazing. Hope to see you again soon.
Cheers - Commodore Management.
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