Duke Of Gloucester Hotel: Classic corner pub
One of an ever-dwindling number of hotels in the east that hasn’t given itself over to the “pimp my pub” renovation brigade, the Duke Of Gloucester (the DOG for short) is a local watering hole of the old fashioned kind. It’s a cosy warren of relaxed drinking and dining rooms, tucked away lounges and inviting outdoor spaces including a beer garden and an expansive upstairs balcony.
Decked out in warm wood panelled walls, with a brick fireplace and old time black and white photos of prominent eastern suburbs locales, it has an undeniable Brit pub charm. It’s busy most nights, with loyal locals mixing convivially with a sizeable contingent of backpacker types. One thing you do notice is that most people are here for the food.
I love the daggy retro salad bar with its corn kernels and potato salad, but it’s clear that the meatier items on the menu are what bring the crowds in at the DOG. A sign outside announces that The Duke’s Bistro has the best steaks in Sydney. While I’ve yet to find any sort of governing body able to validate this claim, a taste test reveals that the steaks are, at the very least, pretty damn delicious.
They’re certainly big. In fact, they’re some of the thickest pub steaks I've seen, served up on sizzling plates that never fail to elicit gasps of awe, and so juicy that the instant you cut into them your chips are pretty much soaked. Every steak is served with a choice of luscious gravies including a coronary-inducing garlic cream sauce.
HelloSydney Tip: If New York cuts, scotch fillets and even the monstrous Bronto steak don’t catch your eye, there’s plenty of other tasty pub fare to be found; think lamb shanks and mash, home-made beef and kidney pie and chicken schnitzel with mushroom gravy.
Posted by Fiona Davies
