Pony
Locals have built weekly visits to Pony into their regular routine, whether it's for their renowned steak night or rotating roasts.
Overview
The quieter backstreets of Armadale are home to Beatty Avenue, the IYKYK kind of place. The leafy, seemingly sleepy street is in fact home to many bustling bars, restaurants and cafes, and at the heart of this upscale urban village lives Pony. A charming, instantly comfortable neighbourhood restaurant boasting bold flavours, genuine, warm hospitality and a welcoming space that makes you want to linger a little longer.
Michael and Emily Valentine, who own Pony with long-time business partner and friend Mark Jennings, are no strangers to the hospo scene. Just a few doors down from the venue sits their beloved Neighbourhood Pizza, a place as popular at 5pm for families as it is for leisurely midweek dinners with girlfriends, or long summer afternoons spent drinking spritzes with mates (and importantly, pups) on the fairy-lit, streetside alfresco area.
With Pony, the team have elevated their offering, presenting a carefully curated wine list and serving seasonal, elevated snacks, share plates and mains; not fancy or pretentious, but thoughtfully refined, always flavour-led.
The house sesame and herb flatbread is made for slathering with the whipped ricotta, brown butter, honey, pepper and sage dip. Save a piece, or order a second, to sample the jalapeno, pistachio and charred spring onion dip too. Scallops are elevated with schmaltz, prawns jazzed up with garlic, lemon and chives.
While many locals can't resist the classic cheeseburger, those in the know would implore you to try the chicken marsala with mushrooms, or the pan-seared barramundi with crunchy fennel salad and green olive salsa. There's also a whole, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and a deboned, butterflied chargrilled chicken, both of which are perfectly complemented with the addition of any of the standout sides. Vadouvan spiced roast carrot salad with lentils and yoghurt is a wintry treat, while the kale caesar with chickpeas, pecorino and pangrattato is so good you may need to order another.
"We wanted to create a restaurant that feels like an extension of the neighbourhood. Somewhere people can drop in for a glass of wine, celebrate with friends, or make part of their weekly routine. Great food, great drinks and genuine hospitality are at the heart of everything we do," say the owners.
Locals have built weekly visits to Pony into their regular routine, whether it's for their renowned steak night or rotating roasts. Every Wednesday, guests flock for the sell-out $35 steak frites, a stellar deal for a plump porterhouse served with golden fries and sauce. And if you're looking for a cosy spot to while away a chilly Sunday, Pony's $39 Sunday roast deal offers the perfect place to gather family and friends for that homely feeling, without having to do any of the prep or clean up.
Images: Griffin Sim.
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