The historic Stanley Pub is back with a kooky French look and a new menu direction
The Stanley Pub in Victoria's north-east has been revamped by new owners, who have given it a New Orleans' French Quarter look, accompanied by a vibrant Asian menu from local chef Sally Wright.
Wright is leasing the pub from a group of five new owners, including High Country locals such as Provenance owner-chef Michael Ryan, plus hospitality veteran Peter Bartholomew (Ides, Lee Ho Fook).
They've spent three months scrubbing up the 154-year-old building, located 10 minutes' drive from Beechworth, adding potted plants, patterned rugs and Louis XVI-inspired furniture in jewel tones. Wright describes the look as "kooky French".
Her menu heads off in a different direction, with pork neck tonkatsu in place of the more typical pub schnitty, while tempura fish with hot-and-sour tomatoes is described as "kinda like fish and chips but better".
Skewers of satay hanger steak, Vietnam's bo la lot (beef in betel leaves) and shredded duck in a sesame-rice cracker are among the share-friendly dishes.
Wright says she's delighted to be back at a pub, which is where she started her hospitality career as an 18-year-old. The bonus this time is having access to High Country produce, including Allt Pork, Murmungee Basin Produce and Hillsborough potatoes and hazelnuts.
"We buy our olive oil locally and anything we can get our hands on, really. A fair bit of backyard pilfering occurs, too," she jokes. "I feel spoiled!"
Venue manager Craig English, who managed the pub 20 years ago, has returned for the latest chapter. Current capacity is 86 people but, with the beer garden open, the venue fits 750 people.
By summer, the team will also install a produce store where the pub's accommodation was previously, selling items from local growers plus pastries and coffee.
Open Mon-Wed 5pm-9pm (drinks and bar menu only), Thu-Sat 11.30am-11pm, Sun 11.30am-7pm
6-12 Stanley-Myrtleford Road, Stanley, 0455 496 991, stanleypub.com.au
Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.
Sign up- More:
- Just open