More than just a pub feed

By Lachlan Ellis

Like the rest of the hotel hospitality industry, Ballan’s Great Western Hotel has taken a huge hit during the pandemic – but the pub is bouncing back, with a revamped menu and a new head chef.

The local pub was closed for five months during COVID with lockdowns and unworkable density limits, but is back better than ever with a new, updated menu that focuses both on quality and value for money.

Owner Mitch Duncan said the Great Western was focusing on providing a great dining experience the whole community can enjoy.

“I’d call our menu ‘bistro food, with pub influences’…we have pub classics like fish and chips, schnitzel, and lamb shoulder…it’s just beautiful food,” Mr Duncan told the Moorabool News.

“There’s a lot more on our new menu in the $25 – $35 range. If you want to come down for a great night out, you can. If you want to nick down for a pub classic, you can do that t00. We’re accessible for everyone.”

New head chef Clive Kirby – who ran Buninyong’s Pig & Goose for seven years – said a new lunch menu would include lighter and cheaper options, with plans for weekend breakfasts also in the works, depending on staff availability.

“It’s more of a bistro menu, with a fine dining aspect in this environment. Our food is modern Australian, which covers everything. Australia, Melbourne especially, is very eclectic, it’s the merging of flavours from lots of cultures. That’s the type of food we serve,” Mr Kirby said.

“Wherever we can we source food locally, and I bake sourdough every day. Our food is fresh, it’s clean, it’s tasty. We’ve got Italian nights, bingo, and Sunday roasts. It’s about bringing the whole family together.

“We’re making the lunch menu accessible for people price-wise, but we’re also making it snackier…you might have an open steak sandwich, fish and chips, poached chicken salad…something quick and easy, while the dinner menu will be more substantial.”

The Great Western is open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday, and for dinner Wednesday to Saturday. For more information, visit www.greatwesternhotelballan.com.au.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-02-22/8

in the 22 February 2022 edition
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pick up a paper around your town.