Montague Hotel

Ph: (03) 9690 9044; 355 Park St Cnr Mont St, Albert Park 3206

Modern European, $$ +
Open Lunch and Dinner 7 days; Licensed; AE DC MC V
Chef Julian Mann (27-11-07) Owner

Mietta's Review
In the evening, with the dimmed lights, candles, music and echoed chatter of patrons, it's like sitting on the set of a 'big people's' Neighbours. Clean, and relaxed, well dressed and groomed, loyal following of both local drinkers and diners. Shades of blue, yellow and terracotta highlight the original period features of the pub. Acoustic music most nights.

Other published opinions

Herald Sun 17-06-08 Score: *** "From the same stable as the Court House, this pub's another cracker"

Herald Sun Bob Hart, 26-01-08 "as far as I'm concerned, chef-turned-master-pubster Scott Thomas can do no serious wrong. First came The Court House which, with a French twist here and' a stylish turn there, Thomas transformed from a footy-crazed bloodhouse to the best foodie pub in Melbourne. And now, unashamedly, he's done it again - by picking up The Montague, a perfectly respectable South Melbourne establishment, and applying his food smarts and a sprinkling of fairy dust."

Herald Sun Dining Out, Stephen Downes, 27-11-07 Score: 18/20 "Is Melbourne embarrassed yet at the quality of its dining out? It shouldn't be. Leaving aside the hyped restaurants - your Nobus and Vues and Rockpools - we are world-beaters at providing excellent, cheap, inventive cooking. The Montague is a fine example. Its wine list is expensive, but brilliantly comprehensive with bottles originating in Italy, Spain, France and Portugal. Four whites and five reds are sold by the glass."

The Age John Lethlean, 22-10-2007 Score: 15/20 "Scott Thomas, who made himself a name at North Melbourne's The Court House, has only carried on from where the place was when he took over. The food's quite different, but still remarkably good; the wine list has been extended and massaged into a state of bliss; and the dining room has been given some colour and a bit of life with a few accessories and the interior decorator's equivalent of a glossy red lipstick. It's helped. What hasn't changed is the generally warm, cosy feel of the place and the attention to details that matter: white linen, decent glassware, crockery and cutlery, quality bread, waiters who know how to keep a water glass topped up and how to read a table."

The Age John Lethlean, 12-3-2007 Score: 15.5/20 " the cooking, which is modern, European-based (with a few Japanese excursions), highly refined, innovative and seriously well-executed. Everything you'd expect, really, of a former sous chef - Rob Kabboord - to Chui Lee Luk at Claude's and Peter Gilmore at Quay, both Sydney three-hat, chef-driven gastro temples. The Montague has been tarted up, the dining room taking on a pleasant, restored art deco personality. Not in the slightest bit edgy, it's welcoming and comfortable in a favourite shirt kind of way. There's carpet and high-backed banquettes, timber bistro chairs and proper white linen, with a serving bar in one corner. The front bar still operates as a smart pub."