Thank you Sarah! new additions for Brunswick, Moonee Ponds, Windsor, St Kilda, Abbotsford & Footscray

Yes folks its been a while between drinks. What can I say, I'm a slack blogger.

But a very lovely lass called Sarah emailed me some new additions. What a top girl!

Without further ado, here they are:

Sassy's Food Room - Moonee Ponds

http://www.sassyfoodroom.com.au/

$10 meals on Sundays (ragout risotto is apparently a winner) + $10 takeaway meals all week

Make a booking if you want to eat in on sunday's

Bimbo's - Brunswick and Lucky Coq - Windsor

http://www.bimbodeluxe.com.au/food_drink

http://www.luckycoq.com.au/

$4 Pizza's all week (check the hours on website though)

Penny Black - Brunswick

http://www.thepennyblack.com.au/foodmenu.php

$6 Pizza's all week

Mon - $12 Parma

Tues - $6 Pizza

Weds - $12 Steak (be sure to book a table - we showed up at 7pm and there was not an unbooked table to be found)

Thurs - $12 Burger

Sun - $12 Roast

And it's not a meal deal, but A1 Bakery - Brunswick

http://yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/a1_bakery/

Really tasty lebanese pizza's for about $3 each

Lentil As Anything - St Kilda, Abbotsford and Footscray

http://www.lentilasanything.com/restaurants.html

You pay however much you think the meal is worth. Folks these guys are doing great things so don't be tight about it. Be generous not stingey.

Williamstown destinations

Got an email from a bloke over that side who offered up a few new options. Mind you, none are $10 meals, but they are still cheap, so with that warning out of the way, here they are:

Steam Packet Hotel - $11.95 meals Mon/Tue/Wed

Morning Star Hotel - $13.95 meals Mon/Tue/Wed

Bettenays - $15 meals all week

Haven't got over there to check them out yet, if anyone else has feel free to comment.

$10 sunday roast at Pugg Mahones

We've been happy enough with the $10 Sunday Roast at Pugg Mahones (Cnr Drummond & Elgin St, Carlton) that we've been back there two Sundays running. Not just the roast, but the $5.50 pints of guiness and $5 pints of cider have called us there. Incidentally, an Irish friend has happily informed me that Pugg Mahones means "kiss my arse" or something like that in Gaelic which is a little entertaining.
Discovered this house of plenty by accident as we were strolling past one Sunday to attend a far pricier lunch elsewhere, and knew we had to come back for such bargain serves of everything that makes a Sunday lunch pleasurable.
Our first Sunday was spent there with a few friends, and nearly everyone ordered the roast.
The $10 roast comes without any choices, they do one variation each Sunday, and you get what you're given. Now, I'm not sure if it was because on the first Sunday we rocked up late, and the second Sunday we rocked up a few hours earlier, but one thing I did notice was a bit of a difference in portion sizes. We enjoyed a very good lamb roast on the first Sunday, but the serving was a little on the small side. So on our second Sunday visit (beef roast this time) we ordered a side of chips (mmm healthy) to go with our lunch. This time the portion was much bigger. Not sure yet whether this is because of the time of the day or what sort of roast it was. I would have thought the lamb roast was a more popular choice for the punters but then again we were there a few hours later so you never know. My partner in crime insists beef roast is more popular anyway, so you just can't be sure I suppose. Might ask the chef next time. Yes, we're planning on heading back there again. The pints of guiness and cider definitely add to the attraction of the place.
One thing we are planning (and I think this might have a little Seinfeld ring to it) is bringing our own condiments. They only serve their roast with gravy, and I like a bit of mint sauce with my lamb, and horseradish with my beef. I'm sure it will be the same story if they ever do a pork.
All things considered, we're happy with it and we're going back for more. We may have found ourselves a favourite Sunday haunt. Its not packed with people, there's sport on the telly, and the barstaff are friendly. Cheap pubgrub and booze too: What else could you want?

Rathdowne Tavern - update - not a $10 steak anymore

It was my favourite place for a $10 steak - great food, came with a pot of beer - couldn't go wrong. But the financial crisis might have given the Rathdowne Tavern a nudge, folks. Popped in there last night to enjoy a steak and prices have edged up ever so slightly. 200g steak with roast vegies & gravy is now $12, 300g is $14, and they do a 400g as well. The pot of beer you get with your dinner improves the more you spend on your steak.

$2 isn't much, I guess, and it is still a great meal. Sad to see the financial crisis encroaching on my preferred steak chomping-ground, but happily its not enough to send me scurrying home in disgust.

Cheap Drinking Spots around Melbourne

*Please note, this list may well have some out-of-date details on it now. I added it a while back, and so if you know of any other places, or something here that needs to be updated, feel free to let me know!*

Cheap Drinking Spots around Melbourne














Monday

Automatic
Southbank, City
$3 pints (inc Stella)

Pugg Mahones
106–112, Hardware Street, City
$3 pints & basic spirits 9-11pm, $3 cowboys all night

Carlton Hotel
197 Bourke St, City
$1.90 pots, 12-2pm & 4-6pm

Pure
125 Smith Street, Collingwood
$1 pots - Pick of the night

The Public Bar
238 Victoria St, North Melbourne (near Vic Markets)
$1 pots all night (+entry)

The Laundry
50 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$1 pots 3-7pm.

Spinach
Cnr Brunswick and Johnston Sts, Fitzroy
$5 jugs, 5-7pm

Chameleon/Provincial Hotel
Cnr Johnston and Brunswick St, Fitzroy
$5 dollar jugs all night

The Evelyn
351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
$8 jugs all night

The Old Bar
74 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$2 pots, 4-6pm

J36
36 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$3.50 Local stubbies, 5-7.30pm

Big Mouth
168 Acland St, St Kilda
$1 pots 5-7, 10-11

Prince of Wales
29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
$1.20 pots

Elwood Lounge
49-51 Glenhuntly Rd, Elwood
$2 off all alcoholic drinks 9pm-midnight

Mentone Hotel
95 Beach Rd, Mentone
$2 pots, 5-6pm

The Greyhound
Cnr Carlisle St and Brighton Rd, St Kilda
$2 pots, 5.30-7.30pm

Geebung Polo Club
339 Racecourse Rd, Flemington
$4 pints 6-7pm













Tuesday

All Nations Backpacker Pub
Cnr of Flinders and Spencer Sts, City
$3.50 pints all night

Carlton Hotel
197 Bourke St, City
$1.90 pots, 12-2pm & 4-6pm

Young and Jacksons
Cnr Swanston and Flinders St, City
$4 pints in long bar, 8-11pm

Hotel Bakpak
167 Franklin St, City
$8 jugs

Spinach
Cnr Brunswick and Johnston Sts, Fitzroy
$5 jugs, 5-7pm

The Tote
Cnr Johnston and Wellington Sts, Collingwood
$1.40 pots all night - Pick of the night

The Evelyn
351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
$8 jugs all night, 8pm-close

Parkview Hotel
131 Scotchmer St, Nth Fitzroy
$4 pints & $9 Jugs all night

Clifton Hill Hotel
89 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill.
$4 pints

The Old Bar
74 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$2 pots, 4-6pm

J36
36 Johnston St Fitzroy
$3.50 Local stubbies, 5-7.30pm

Big Mouth
168 Acland St, St Kilda
$1 pots 5-7, 10-11

Golden Gate Hotel
238 Claredon St, Sth Melbourne
$6 jugs (Tooheys)

The Greyhound
Cnr Carlisle St and Brighton Rd, St Kilda
$2 pots, 5.30-7.30pm

Mentone Hotel
95 Beach Rd, Mentone.
$2 pots, 5-6pm



















Wednesday

F4
Level 2/322 Little Collins St, City
2 for 1 drinks, 9-10pm, 11-12pm, 1-2am. ($6 entry, students free)

Carlton Hotel
197 Bourke St, City
$1.90 pots, 12-2pm & 4-6pm

Prince Alfred Hotel
191 Grattan St, Carlton
$1 pots 9-10pm

Spinach
Cnr Brunswick and Johnston Sts, Fitzroy
$5 jugs, 5-7pm

Commercial Club Hotel
Cnr Nicholson and Westgarth Sts, Fitzroy
Paper Scissors Rock all night

Laundry
50 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$2 pots 3-9pm

The Old Bar
74 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$2 pots, 4-6pm

J36
36 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$3.50 Local stubbies, 5-7.30pm

Big Mouth
168 Acland St, St Kilda
$1 pots 5-7, 10-11 - Pick of the night

Mentone Hotel
95 Beach Rd, Mentone.
$2 pots, 5-6pm

Greyhound
Cnr Carlisle St and Brighton Rd, St Kilda
$2 pots, 5.30-7.30pm

Racecourse Hotel
Next to Monash Uni, Caulfield.
$3 Heinekens all day

Cato
37 Cato St, Prahran
$2 pots, $3 basics, 8pm-midnight

















Thursday

Billboards
170 Russell St, City
$1 pots, $2.50 basic spirits - Pick of the night

James Squire Brewery
115 Russell St, City
Toss the boss all night

Carlton Hotel
197 Bourke St, City
$1.90 pots, 12-2pm & 4-6pm

Spinach
Cnr Brunswick and Johnston Sts, Fitzroy
$5 jugs, 5-7pm

Laundry
50 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$1.50 pots, 3-9pm

Parkview Hotel
131 Scotchmer St, Nth Fitzroy
$4 pints & $9 Jugs all night

Pugg Mahones
171 Elgin St, Carlton
$4 pints after 8pm

The Old Bar
74 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$2 pots, 4-6pm

The Purple Turtle
166 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$2 pots 8pm -2am

J36
36 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$3.50 Local stubbies, 5-7.30pm

Big Mouth
168 Acland St, St Kilda
$1 pots 5-7, 10-11

The Saint
54 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
Two for one drinks all night

Vibe
140 Acland St, St Kilda
$5 long necks

The Greyhound
Cnr Carlisle St and Brighton Rd, St Kilda
$2 pots, 5.30-7.30pm

Mentone Hotel
95 Beach Rd, Mentone
$2 pots, 5-6pm

Prahran Hotel
96 Greville St, Prahran
$1 pots 8-9pm, $1.50 pots 9-10 pm

Cato
37 Cato St, Prahran
$2 pots, $3 basic, 8pm-midnight

161
161 High St, Prahran
$2 pots, 9-11pm (+entry for bands)













Friday

The Loft
117 Lonsdale St, City
2 free drinks on arrival

Dallas
195 King St, City
$1.50 pots, $2.50 basics all night

Khokolate
43 Hardware Lane, City
1/2 price drinks + finger food, 5-8pm

Carlton Hotel
197 Bourke St, City
$1.90 pots, 12-2pm & 4-6pm

Fiddler
577 Little Collins, City
Two for one, 5-7pm

F4
Level 2/322 Little Collins St , City
Assorted 2 for 1 drink specials/giveaways, free snacks, 5-10pm

Concrete
Cnr Lonsdale and Russell Sts, City
2 for 1 Heineken bottles, 5-7pm

Roo Bar
167 Franklin St, City
$2 shots

Odeon
Crown Casino, City.
4 cocktails for $10, 5-8pm

Exchange Hotel
Cnr King & Little Collins Sts, City
$8 jugs/$4 pints/$2 pots, 5-7pm

Velour Bar
121 Flinders Lane, City
$2 pots, $3 wine + champers, $3.50 spirits + free finger food, 5.30-7.30

Bliss Lounge
11 Queen St, City
$2 pots 5-7pm

Republic Cafe
299 Queen St, City
$3 beer, wine & spirits

Treasury
394 Collins St, City
$3 tap beer, 5.30-9.30pm

Spinach
Cnr Brunswick and Johnston Sts, Fitzroy
$5 jugs, 5-7pm

Trades Hall Bar
Trades Hall Bar, upstairs Cnr Lygon and Victoria Sts, Carlton
cheap drinks, 5-7pm

The Builders Arms
211 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
$2 pots, 6-8pm

The Old Bar
74 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$2 pots, 4-6pm

Prince Alfred Hotel
191 Grattan St, Carlton
$2 pots, 5-8pm

Commercial Club Hotel
Cnr Nicholson and Westgarth Sts, Fitzroy
$2 pots, free pizza & other drink specials, 5.30-7.30pm

J36
36 Johnston St, Fitzroy
$3.50 Local stubbies, 5-7.30pm

Big Mouth
168 Acland St, St Kilda
$1 pots 5-7, 10-11

The Greyhound
Cnr Carlisle St and Brighton Rd, St Kilda
$2 pots, 5.30-7.30pm

Eden on the Park
6 Queens Rd, Albert Park
$3 wine, $3.50 botted local beer, $4.00 spirits, 5-7pm

Earl of Lincoln
59 Church St, Richmond
$20 all you can drink, 7-10pm - Pick of the night

Bridie O'Reilly's
462 Chapel St, South Yarra
$4 pints, 6-8pm

Mentone Hotel
95 Beach Rd, Mentone
$2 pots, 5-7pm

Hawthorn Hotel
481 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn
$2 pots, $3.50 basic spirits, 5.30-6.30pm

Lotus
172 Toorak Rd, Toorak
$3 basic spirits + beer, 5-9pm

Burvale Hote
Burwood Hwy, Nunawading
$3 Crownies

Geebung Polo Club
339 Racecourse Rd, Flemington
$4 pints, 6-7pm












Saturday

Young and Jacksons
Cnr Flinders and Swanston Sts, City
'Beer Ambassador': free beer tasting 3pm

Roo Bar
167 Franklin Street, City
$7 Jugs

Carlton Hotel
197 Bourke St, City
$1.90 pots, 2-4pm

The Greyhound
Cnr Carlisle St and Brighton Rd, St Kilda
$2 pots, 5.30-7.30pm

Bridie O'Reilly's
462 Chapel St, South Yarra
$4 pints, 8-10pm. - Pick of the night



















Sunday

Young and Jacksons
Cnr Flinders and Swanston Sts, City
'Beer Ambassador': free beer tasting 3pm

Roo Bar
167 Franklin Street, City.
$3 pints

The Greyhound
Cnr Carlisle St and Brighton Rd, St Kilda
$2 pots, 5.30-7.30pm

The Cricketers Arms
327 Punt Rd, Richmond
$2 pots - Pick of the night




















All Week

Bar at Ong Asian Food Court
Basement, 265 Little Bourke St, City
$3.30 bottled beer

Saluti
525 Collins St, City.
$7 long necks

Cheers
25 Little Bourke St, City
$3.80 Crown Lager bottles

Normandy Hotel
139 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill
$2.50 schooners, $3 bottled beer

Queensberry Hotel
593, Swanston St, Carlton
$4 pints (Tooheys)

Red Eye Bar
17 Carlisle St, St Kilda
$2 pots (xxxx) all day. 2 for 1 Tooheys pots 5-6pm.

Royal Oak
527 Bridge Rd, Richmond
$3 schooners/spirits - Pick of the night

Hawthorn Hotel
481 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn.
$2 pots, $3.50 basic spirits, 8-9pm.

Rathdowne Tavern - $10 steaks Tue night

Yes, last night it was time to try out the Rathdowne Tavern's $10 steak offer. On first read, it does sound a little too good to be true: $10 for a steak and a pot? In Carlton?

But along we went to investigate, and I'm happy to report that all this goodness was completely true. They offer a range of steaks - the $10 option is the 200 gram steak complete with roasted vegetables and a pot of Carlton draught (they also have bigger steaks on offer for higher prices).

I also forked out an additional $8 for a side salad - which I liked, I thought the lime/citrus dressing was nice and tangy, but my dining companion was unimpressed with the salad. In fact he may have muttered "You could just spend an extra couple of bucks and eat more steak if you're that hungry". And yes, it does kind of negate the point of the whole "$10 dinner", I admit.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

When we arrived, possibly a little on the late side of 8pm, the place was packed. We got the last table, and were feeling quite chuffed about it until it eventually dawned on us that being this packed meant very slow service. Table service only, for ordering your dinner, and it took us a good while to be attended to. I would hazard a guess that there were only a couple of wait staff tending to all the tables in the hotel, but I could be wrong. Just take my word for it and get down there early if you're hungry, but if you're happy to kick back with your mates then you won't be worried. Its a nice venue, the big flatscreens seemed a little out of place to me, but horses for courses and all that.

Once our orders were taken, the steak appeared in no time flat. That kitchen is seriously pumping them out!

One small word of warning here: if you are ordering the $10 steak, we were advised that you can't specify how you'd like it cooked. It all comes out just a shade on the rare side of medium. So if you really like it either blue & bloody or seriously singed, you'll be dismayed by this news.

But for most people, I'm sure you'll cope - its a great steak, really good for the price, the roast vegies arrive tucked underneath the steak, a sprig of oregano and gravy across the top. Definitely worth a visit, if you are up for a good cheap steak in Carlton on a Tue night.

My cameraphone is still not playing by the rules unfortunately, so I might have to start carting a camera with me. If I can get it sorted there will be pics here soon.
Til next time, cheers!

Details:
Rathdowne Tavern, 184 Rathdowne St, Carlton

Back in the saddle

Last night we ventured to a favourite from the old days. Now, admittedly, its not a pub, nor did we partake in $10 steaks or parmas.
But Shanghai Dumpling, located tucked away down Tattersalls Lane off Little Bourke Street, deserves mention for a couple of reasons. It was always a good spot for a cheap feed back in my younger days, and having not been there in a couple of years, I felt it was time to revisit. Plus I haven't been around for a bit so it was also time to report in on the blog, and its the only place I've been since I got back.
Shanghai Dumpling used to be a place where you could squeeze in next to a couple of strangers all sharing a table, tuck in to a plate of dumplings and some chinese broccoli and leave without much fuss to the wallet.
Well, things didn't seem to have changed terribly much.
There has been a little bit of a decor shift - a few more booths in place, the grungy old plastic tea mugs have been replaced with shiny new white ones, and things are slightly rearranged (tea urn at the front of the restaurant instead of tucked down the back, etc) - but nothing alarmingly new to upset the mad, busy place we remembered. I also noticed that corkage has been introduced (different prices depending on whether you bring in a stubbie, a tallie, or a bottle of wine) and a few beers were now available for sale onsite. We figured we'd take advantage of that particular new feature and had a Tiger stubbie from the fridge, for $4.80.
I did note that the chinese broccoli in oyster sauce seems to have bounced its way up the price list to become one of their more expensive dishes, at $9.90. It was as delicious as always, however. A very generous plate of steamed vegetable and mushroom dumplings was $6.50 and a plate of fried pork dumplings was $6.80 - as you may notice, I strongly believe in eating the dumplings at a place with said item included in the name of the joint. We enjoyed the meal, enjoyed our noisy tablemates, and were happy to note that whilst things have had a marginal spit and polish, nothing really seems to have changed much. The only thing I did notice was that the old clientele didn't match the new one. Not so much a mix of everyone you could find in a teaspoon of Melbourne, and more just a bunch of groups of people heading out for the night. I reckon I only saw two students in the whole place which leads me to suspect that Shanghai Dumpling must have a newer, cheaper competitor that this old fogie doesn't know about.