The tavern's unlikely Balinese water garden is so popular it was almost fully booked when we arrived at 5.30pm on a chilly spring Friday evening. A shared tasting platter included hoi-an duck with beetroot and feta, pork belly, chicken spring rolls and salt-and-pepper prawns; we followed it with hearty lamb shanks in red wine and rosemary with mashed potatoes, and teriyaki salmon with an Asian salad. Desserts change frequently, there's a $10 kids' value menu, plenty of pizza, burger, pasta, schnitzel and healthy options. No wonder the tavern is considered one of the best family pubs in Sydney.