The Vic on Hyde as a pub had been around since the 1800’s, but after a six-month-long refurbishment, from mother and daughter team Loren Smith and Christine Day; the new Hyde Street Hotel opened its doors in May of last year. They boast an amazing 14 craft beers and ciders on tap, with more coming all the time. There are three distinct dining areas – the Hyde Street Kitchen, Hyde Street Food and Wine Bar, and Public House. The Hyde Street Kitchen dining room is open, light but the atmosphere is still quite intimate. With contemporary fittings, it’s relaxed and reflects the happy, grounded disposition of the staff. It seats 140 people with room for small and larger tables and the menu is an excellent combination of traditional pub food – steaks with a selection of five sauces, pizzas etc. – and modern bistro fare such as roasted spatchcock with carrot puree. The Food and Wine Bar section of the hotel features communal tables, with many menu options designed to be shared. It also boasts large screens so you can keep one eye on the footy score, turning you into some Mad Eye Moody-type creature. Public House dining area features classic pub staples such as Parmas, burgers and fish and chips with a huge 70-inch screen and other plasmas to watch your favourite sport matches, plus all Hyde pizzas are $18. Their $15 express lunch menu from Monday to Thursday, midday ‘til 3pm, is a bargain, featuring Wagyu beef burgers, steak sangas and smokey BBQ chicken wings with chips and salad. There’s a lot of love that’s gone into this historical, yet completely transformed gastropub and that much is evident. It perfectly caters for both types of patrons: the ‘I just want a pub meal,’ and ‘I want more from my pub,’ attitudes that Melbourne is currently harboring. They’ve hit the nail on the head.
EDITOR’S PICK
The Parisian gnocchi with zucchini, roquette coulis, roasted peppers and olive and fig tapenade is an unexpected combination of flavours. A surefire winner.
