Five of the best parmies

NOW seemingly a staple of every self-respecting pub in Australia, the parmigiana has come a long way from its roots in southern Italy as a fried eggplant-based dish. Here are five of the best.

Tom McHugo’s parmigiana. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

NOW seemingly a staple of every self-respecting pub in Australia, the humble parmigiana has come a long way from its roots in southern Italy as a fried eggplant-based dish. Find your favourite stack of meat, tomato and cheese among these five of the best.

Serving up a parmigiana at Tom McHugo’s Hobart Hotel. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Tom McHugo’s Hobart Hotel, 87 Macquarie St, Hobart

This traditional pub-style restaurant in the heart of Hobart offers a tasty chicken schnitzel sourced from Nichols Poultry, topped with house-made Napoli sauce, gooey cheese and plated up with chips and seasonal vegetables. The pub service continues with the low price of $12.

Shamrock Hotel, 195 Liverpool St, Hobart

This Irish-themed corner pub often has its tables full both inside and out, no matter the weather and with parmies like these it is no surprise. Choose from a beef or chicken base and try an Aussie with barbecue sauce, bacon, egg and cheese ($16). Also available are the plain ($12), Mexican, pepperoni and Hawaiian (all $14). Upgrade any of these to “monster size” for an extra $9.

Hotel Soho, 124 Davey St, South Hobart

Soho has a range of signature chicken parmigianas, from the Plain Jane ($25) to the parmageddon, made with three stacked traditional parmies ($55). All are served with a generous helping of fries and salad. Watch out for the Clock Night menu on Monday and Wednesday nights, with parmies starting from $5 at 5pm.

Cascade Hotel, 22 Cascade Rd, South Hobart

The chicken parmigiana here is made using free-range chicken, pan friend or crumbed to your taste. It’s topped with Napoli sauce, ham from Ziggy’s Supreme Smallgoods in Moonah, and mozzarella cheese. The dish comes with your choice of seasonal vegetables or beer-battered chips and salad (small $18 — large $26.50).

Ocean Child Inn, 86 Argyle St, Hobart

Walking into the Ocean Child you could think you are on a ship — or at least among a very on-theme collection of memorabilia, with its dark timber panelling, mounted lamps and numerous lifebuoys. Try one of their left-of-field parmy combinations ($15), such as the nacho with guacamole, corn chips, salsa and sour cream, or the inferno with spicy salsa, chilli, salami, onion and jalepenos.

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