Overview
That last proper pub feed you had at an actual pub is fast turning into a distant memory. And the glorious day your local can once again throw open its doors can't come soon enough. But if you're desperate for a pub fix to see you through these last few weeks of pub-less purgatory, solace has arrived in the form of a new food delivery service called Hand Picked.
Launching this week, it's the latest offering from Australian Venue Co (AVC), which owns 30 well-known Melbourne boozers and eateries — including Richmond's Harlow, The Provincial in Fitzroy, The College Lawn Hotel and Footscray's The Station. It's out to help punters recreate that pub experience at home, with two curated menus featuring hit dishes from across all of the group's local venues.
There's the Hand Picked Fan Favourites lineup, headed up by Executive Chef Christian Abbott, which is delivering ready-to-eat pub meals on the daily. Addresses within seven kilometres of the CBD's Imperial Hotel can get their mitts on much-loved signature dishes including Fargo & Co's Dirty Birdie fried chicken burger, cheeseburger spring rolls from Hopscotch and even The Newmarket Hotel's dog-friendly Puppy Parma. Booze is sorted, too, with a selection of craft beers, cocktails and DIY spritz kits from the likes of Beer Deluxe, State of Grace and The Smith. There's a $5 flat-rate delivery fee on Fan Favourites orders, which are available from 5–9pm daily, or you can pick up your grub directly from the Bourke Street pub.
Meanwhile, fellow Executive Chef Telina Menzies is helming the Hand Picked At Home menu, featuring family-style pub feasts dropped to your door, ready to heat and serve. Delivered every Friday afternoon, you'll find a selection of hearty shared pies — perhaps a creamy seafood and herb number — and lasagne varieties, including one crafted with 18-hour braised wagyu cheek and Tasmanian truffles.
Hand Picked Footy Feed snacks
And to see you well-fed through the next few weeks of AFL finals season — while you're watching at home, obviously — there's Hand Picked's Ultimate Footy Feed menu, starring grazing options like lobster mac and cheese bites, ramen-fried chicken nuggets and sausage rolls with boozy barbecue sauce. These footy mates are also available for delivery each Friday, with a choice of six snacks starting from $30 per person.
To celebrate its arrival, Hand Picked is slinging you 20 percent off all Fan Favourites and At Home orders this weekend. See the website for details.
AVC's Hand Picked Fan Favourites menu is available daily from 5–9pm, for $5 delivery within 7 kilometres of The Imperial Hotel, CBD. Pick-up is also available — order online. The At Home and Ultimate Footy Feed menus are being delivered between 2–5pm Fridays, to suburbs within 5km of The Park in Albert Park. Weekly order cut-off is 12pm Thursdays — place yours online.