A winning pub meal at The Commodore Hotel

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.