![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/11\/The-Highlander-Glass-300x200.jpg\")
\u201cWith the Pub With Two Names name there was lots of confusion, when I got closed down because of COVID I decided to change the name back to the original,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the first 100 years in its existence, this building was called The Royal Highlander, which I liked but decided to drop the Royal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen renovating, I really did think about the building and wanted to retain some of the history like exposing the old bricks to show their age and restoring the ceiling made up of handmade plaster tiles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although history is an integral part of the venue, quality food, wine and great service are the clear focuses of the business\u2019 operators.<\/p>\n
As a sommelier and a self-proclaimed \u201cfoodie\u201d, Ms Molloy said she\u2019s happy to answer any questions about the food or wine pairings to ensure the best customer experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have nice dining dishes, that are reasonably priced, but we also offer some pub classics so we\u2019re really inclusive to everyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love wine, so we have loads of locally made wines, all reasonably priced, a great cocktail list as well, lots of whiskies because there\u2019s a bit of Scottish heritage there with the name The Highlander.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur food is fresh daily, we\u2019ve had no complaints, lots of praise and we have or regulars already, it\u2019s been the best soft<\/p>\n opening that I\u2019ve ever experienced.\u201d<\/p>\n Similarly, to the set up at The Farmers Arms, Ms Molly said the business works to champion good quality local produce and meats throughout.<\/p>\n \u201cWe buy whole animals and do in house butchery and a lot of aging, we\u2019re into meat and meat quality because I believe you can taste the difference,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cOutside of my own venues, I\u2019m a vegetarian so I care a lot about ethics, so we buy straight from the farm and know exactly where our meats coming from.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do have a focus on local produce as well and I\u2019ve got a great kitchen team who come with world experience so I\u2019m really lucky there.\u201d<\/p>\n While Mair Street continues to build up the CBD\u2019s dining scene, Ms Molly said she\u2019s grateful not only to her dedicated staff, but for the central position they\u2019re in.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m excited to be here, it\u2019s a prime location, it\u2019s right in the centre, right in the heart of the city,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t wait for the Gov Hub to open, it\u2019s a brilliant position, I think Mair Street is almost the new main street in Ballarat.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m super happy, I\u2019ve got great staff and I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WHILE the corner of Doveton and Mair Streets may be an iconic pub destination, the new owners of the building are hoping to bring it back to life. In addition to operating The Farmers Arms in Creswick, new owner of The Highlander Chris Molloy said she wanted to take the venue back to its roots […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/11\/The-Highlander-Sign-300x200.jpg\")