If you were looking for an excuse to venture into the inner-north ‘burb of Moonee Ponds, here it is: the Mount Alexander Hotel has recently opened, and it could just be the watering hole of your dreams.
At the helm of this pub project is part-owner Andrew Wright (formerly executive chef at the Speakeasy Group) and Noel Murphy (ex Mjolner and Rice Paper Scissors), who've created a welcoming venue that’s perfect for a midweek meal, Saturday night boogie or chilled-out Sunday sesh. The recently revamped interiors by Studio Y have injected a retro vibe into the space, with the colour palette now centred around warm tones of terracotta and cream, with timber accents and pops of lush greenery.
The menu is chock-full of hearty classics – we’re talking a Wagyu burger, parma, market fish and some handmade pasta options. For the carnivores, there are five different steaks to choose from, while the snacks range from burrata and calamari to croquettes and tuna crudo nachos. If you pop in on a Wednesday you can treat yourself to the $45 crayfish special, and on Sundays you can get a roast with all the trimmings for just $35.
When it comes to the drinks, there’s no chance of going thirsty here. The curated cocktail list is loaded with bevvies boasting fun names like Honey, I Shrunk The Highball and Spicy Little Devil, while the mostly Australian wine list has plenty of tipples that can be served both by the glass or bottles. For a froff, there are nine beers on tap and even more in a tinnie.
Hitting up your local for a bevvie never sounded so good. For more information and to purchase tickets to the Melbourne Cup Day event, head to the website.
