The Good Home

Overview

The Good Home’s classic tag line “it’s not a house it’s a home” rings true throughout the whole premises. The homely vibe of the Birkenhead-situated bar/restaurant is encompassed from the welcoming letterbox out front, to the house-plan layout - which boasts a breakfast bar, fire place, lounge area and man cave - complete with bookcase and TVs showing live sport. The staff reiterate the community feeling with their friendly manner and aren’t shy delving into a bit of genuine banter. It was nice to hear that a smoking ban has been enforced around the front to encourage families to come in for a meal.

Coming out of the caravan-styled kitchen is classic homestyle pub food, given the once over by North Shore food consultant Mark Gregory and chef Joe Brockliss to place it within the ‘gastro-pub’ genre. The burger list is extensive and they are truly generous in size. The shear magnitude was soon backed up after witnessing a grown man struggle to get his hands around the behemoth and lift it into his gob. If you’d prefer something a little easier to grasp, the sliders come in four of the eight varieties for $20 - angus with blue cheese and pear, bombay chicken with tandoori yogurt, lamb rump with feta and tzatziki and falafel.

Further small plate sharing options include lemon pepper squid, lamb koftas, pork belly, chicken nibbles, risotto balls, and more. For the indecisive diner, you could try or share a tasting platter for $26. Larger plates are tailored for those who have a big hole to fill. Dominating the main course menu is proper grub - roast chicken, ribs, lamb shank, fish and chips, fish pie and 300g wagyu beef - there’s only room for two salads here folks. To finish it off, there are some classics dessert options from cheesecake to chocolate brownie and gelato coming from their next door neighbours, the Gelato Workshop. On this appearance it was maple walnut.

Beverages keep with traditional pub options, including ten beers on tap, a range of local wines and cocktails served from jam jars at $10 a pop.

Honest pub food and a good dose of Kiwi hospitality.