3. London Hotel (24 Darling Street, Balmain)
by Ads (guest reviewer)
Perhaps it was just me, but this schnitty was behind the eight ball from the get go. What I noticed when I walked in, is yet another Sydney pub with rubbish beers on tap and an overpriced pub-grub menu. I was informed when ordering that there would be a substantial wait for my Sunday afternoon cardiac-clogging delight. Despite the place being just over tumbleweed full, I was fine and replied, “No worries, I’ll happily wait for a well cooked schnity...(hint, hint)!” Whether it was the cheeky left-eye wink I gave bar girl or just a kitchen that was on a half-hour break, my meal (and I use that word hesitantly) arrived some 35 minutes later and was of mini-schnittal proportions.
The schnitzel itself was tough, dry and bordering on cremation. The salad, appalling. I’m not too sure what century the tomatoes and greens were picked in, but I dare say they were as old as the building itself.
The highlight on the plate were the chips – crisp and golden and fried well. Query whether packet-chips as a highlight should really be a testament to the ability of the cook?
In terms of ambience, the London did wonders to truly give you that local feel. And when I say local, I mean all the locals. Sitting in what could have been the main dining area, I was forced to eat my meal surround by dogs (and no I don’t mean the scantily clad local girls of questionable morals) I mean the hairy four-legged kind... allowed inside the pub, where food is served... unhygienic much?
Despite the old brick foundation that retains the a little of the colonial appearance, the London Hotel proved to be another glossed up pub benefiting from the affluence of the area it is in, without much substance. So many kinds of wrong, it just isn’t schnitzel.
Rating - 4/20
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