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Let's Eat
More than just "Pub Food"
The Grand View Hotel has a wonderful restaurant, which is always busy, especially at the weekends for lunch and dinner.
Unlike most "pubs", the Grand View does not just serve pies and sausage rolls, they have an extensive blackboard menu as well as the always popular selection of roasts.
On the Sunday night that we went, I had the "Three Amigos" which is a Mexican salsa and corn chip dish, with Mexican onions, guacamole, sour cream and generous portion of cheese melted over the top. As a vegetarian, I always take a keen interest in whether a restaurant caters adequately for my ilk, and the Grand View had two vegetarian dishes, the Three Amigos and a risotto with wild mushrooms and semi-dried tomatoes which is suitable for vegans. When I asked about whether there were other dishes, I was told that the chef could prepare other dishes, particularly pasta dishes, without meat.
Of the others in the party, one had traditional roast beef and vegetables which was reportedly "delicious" and the meat was "cooked perfectly". Well, I guess she would know. Another had the Chicken Schnitzel, which she says "was the best meal I've had for ages". The other member of the party had Veal Pasta and Caesar Salad, which he said was "too much food". Well, I should think so! Talk about eyes being bigger than the belly! Still, it must have been pretty good because he scarfed down most of it.
The garlic bread was superb on walnut bread. Big, generous servings that were almost a meal in themselves.
But the masterpiece was the dessert! Oh the choice, the choice. In the end, I had the sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce (well, it is nearly winter) which is to die for, and so beautifully presented. The only other dessert eater there had the banana in caramel sauce enclosed in a filo pastry. Judging by the way she was swooning over it, it must have been pretty good.
The final surprise of the evening was the coffee. The cappuccinos were excellent, a somewhat rare find here in the Mountains, I've discovered. I was probably spoiled by all those years dining out in Newtown and Leichhardt where the coffee is of prime importance.
Although not cheap like pub food, the prices were reasonable and for the quality of the food, well worth the price. The atmosphere is lovely, just like an English pub. The staff are warm and welcoming, as is the ambience. On a cold winter night, it's like heaven to step into. The Grand View is to be recommended for a good feed and a good night out.
To contact the Village Views, send us an e-mail to: bmvv@hermes.net.au