Underwhelming is probably the best term I can use to describe my verdict on lunch from the gastrobar menu at The Villager Hotel. Once again my expectations probably got the better of me, but gastrobar and supper club are the kinds of words you associate with awesomeness and big expectations when it comes to food.
The girls and I booked a table at The Villager Hotel for a quick lunch break mid-week and found everything from the service, the food and the ambience to be what we collectively described as ‘meh’. Only a scattering of tables were occupied in the cosy, rustic dining area, however the service was blasé and pretty much non-existent, as our waitress had no interest in taking our order, or even acknowledging our presence…
After making a small scene just to get noticed and our orders taken, we started with the tomato, basil and fetta bruschetta ($11) to share from the tapas menu. The kitchen was a little slow to deliver, but once it arrived we were pretty impressed with our starter. The generous pile of tiny diced tomato pieces was drizzled with balsamic and delicate strands of basil, random chunks of fetta and to my delight there was a distinct absence of diced onion.
The mains weren’t too slow in arriving which was a welcome relief. Princess had the garlic and prawn risotto with congnac cream ($25). Although not much to look at with its brown, sloppy appearance, the risotto was cooked well and the prawny chunks were fresh and flavoursome. The cognac cream however was too rich, overbearing and too salty.
I opted for a pasta dish too, having the confit salmon fettuccine with sugar snaps, shaved pecorino and champagne cream ($24). The serving wasn’t perhaps as generous as I would’ve expected, however once again too salty, too rich and as such I couldn’t finish it anyway. The salmon pieces were cooked nicely but overpowered by the creamy sauce.
JA had some success with her choice of the wagyu beef burger with hand cut chips and salad ($16). The patty was nice and plump, cooked well and had a nice big gooey blob of cheese on top, all nestled in a cosy, crusty roll. And the chips were pretty much spot on.
The menu at The Villager Hotel has some really nice options on it and I suspect a slight attitude adjustment from the staff may see a shift towards a pleasant dining experience.
Whilst I won’t rush back for lunch, I wouldn’t mind spending some time on the tapas menu, with a cocktail or fish-bowl size glass of red wine in one hand. The Villager Hotel has that feel to it like it wants to go off (in a good way!), but it hasn’t quite figured out how.
Maybe it’s the supper club experience which makes The Villager Hotel shine?
- The Villager Hotel (Gastrobar) – 185 George St Brisbane CBD +61 7 3211 1300
