The Arcadia Hotel on the corner of Punt and Toorak Road in South Yarra has been serving up cold ones since before the American Civil War. And it's no surprise it's a survivor. Being able to adapt to the times is the struggle of every hospitality venue, be it a pub or a five-star restaurant, and the crew behind Arcadia has been able to do it with style.
With a fresh refurb, the place is modern yet vintage, with heritage features maintained throughout and a special focus on interior design. It's a laidback joint to enjoy a game of pool and some wicked live music, but it has a healthy dose of self-respect when it comes to its food and wine service.
Starters include classics such as chicken wings and nachos, while dishes such as the pan-fried vegetable gyoza and the Korean glazed popcorn chicken give an East Asian edge. Mains include all the hits such as fish and chips, lamb shanks with creamy mash, steak sandwiches and veggie burgers, while lesser-seen dishes such as veal scaloppini with pepper sauce and roast potatoes also make the cut.
From the grill, enjoy cuts such as a Southern Range scotch filler or a grass-fed Black Angus sirloin. There are pasta dishes aplenty too as well as a selection of baos, tacos and pizzas — with the Calabrese being the highlight. Basically, there's a bit of everything on Arcadia Hotel's menu. And it somehow manages to do it all really well.
If you're just after a drink, then it's got you covered too — with over 12 beers on tap and a wine list including Fifth Leg chardonnay, Pepperjack shiraz and Squealing Pig pinot noir.
There's live music and DJs every Saturday until late and the footy, cricket or NRL will also get a play most weekends.
Images: Tran Nguyen