Crackling log fires, stunning ocean views and awesome pub food...this must mean the weekend is finally here!
After a busy long week at work I decide I need an escape and head down to Manly with my fiancée to relax and unwind with some fresh sea air and good pub grub. There's something about watching the ocean waves and listening to the crash on the shore which really relaxes me and today was no different.
The surf was up helped by the gale force winds which was really throwing the surfers off their boards today which must really suck for them but quite entertaining for me!
We head to Hotel Steyne which is also made up of various pubs and bars including Moonshine a live music venue and the newly opened Glasshouse located upstairs which serves more intimate snacks and cocktails such as Pacific Oysters, Skewers, Sliders and Cheese or Meat Boards. Very fancy!
Hotel Steyne is one of Manly’s oldest buildings, and after a few mysterious fires that destroyed the previous pubs, the current building, built in 1923 still stands today.
We enter the main pub dining area full of tables facing the ocean, comfy sofas and armchairs in front of a roaring fireplace as well as some high wooden tables and stools ideal for groups of five and six. As most of the tables by the window were already taken we made ourselves comfy at one of the larger high round tables close to the fire with a clear view of the ocean and those crashing waves.
Menus are already provided on the table and include a whole feast of meal choices including classics such as beer battered fish and chips, Chicken Parmigiana and steak and chips; Chicken, leek and mushroom pot pie, Seafood Plate and Boullibase . For something smaller why not try the salt and pepper calamari, beef nachos or tomato bruschetta.
There are also a good variety of pizzas and burgers and today I am craving an $18 beef burger that comes with chips. My fiancée is also leaning towards a burger but goes for the barramundi burger instead as he fancies fish, as we are by the sea.
You have to order at the bar, but slightly annoyingly you have to order your food at the food counter and then head to the bar adjacent to order your drinks hence having to line up twice.
There are blackboards on the wall as well prompting you of the menu again in case you forget your order or just prefer to line up straight away and make your decision on the spot...something I couldn't do as I'd be there all day debating over my choice of dish!
As this is a self-service restaurant, upon ordering you are provided with a buzzer to prompt you to collect your food once ready.
As well as having a great choice of food at reasonable prices, Hotel Steyne also has a good selection of wines, bottled beers and beer on tap as well as cider which was my drink of choice today and I decided upon the refreshing and so easy to drink Orchard Crush cider - yum!
Hotel Steyne has a number of different bars within this main dining area, however only this one by the food counter was currently open. I assume more bars and staff would be working later on when it gets busier.
Back at the table I lose myself in easy chatter and ocean views, that is until the buzzer makes me jump out of my skin! It's been about 10 or so minutes since ordering and back at the food collection I am amazed at the size of the burgers...they're huge!!!
You also need to collect all your cutlery, paper napkins and sauces from here as well with all your usuals including tomato and brown sauce. There are also various mustards including English hot mustard and Dijon as well as sweet chilli sauce.
Our burgers are presented on wooden boards with a good handful or crunchy chips - just how I like them and we soon tuck in. The chips are super crunchy on the outside yet delicate and fluffy inside. I cut the burger in half to make eating easier and it is full with crunchy lettuce, tasty tomato and a burger patty that is juicy and flavoursome. It doesn't take us long to devour our whole meals and wash it down with a beer or cider in my case!
Hotel Steyne has various function nights during the week including Pub Trivia and $10 Parma on Wednesdays, Half Price Dinners on Mondays and Pints for Schooners on Tuesdays. Monster Meat Raffles run on Friday nights and Sunday is Roast of the Day for $25. There are also plenty of TVs close to where we sat if you want to catch the latest sport, but I was too captivated by the ocean to notice.
Although this was my first time at Hotel Steyne, the service was friendly and attentive and there was someone constantly clearing away empty plates and cleaning tables for the next patrons.
A relaxed and friendly vibe, Hotel Steyne makes a good place to come for casual catch ups with friends and family lunches with the kids. And if you love live music, then Moonshine Bar has live music on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.