Oxford Scholar Hotel

The Oxford Scholar has re-opened its doors to the public after an extensive face-lift. It’s a new chapter for this treasured RMIT landmark which now boasts a significant increase in capacity with the modernised ground floor now licensed for up to 280 patrons.

The Oxford Scholar’s history stretches back to the 19th century: its site at the northern-end of Swanston St has existed since the Victorian gold rush when it was surrounded by tobacco warehouses and popular with local workers before booming as a student watering hole in the 1960s.

Today the Oxford Scholar delights with a contemporary food offering alongside live music and a wide range of locally-sourced craft beer on offer.

We loved tasting our way through the menu which includes a mix of contemporary pub classics made from fresh products that are sourced locally and provide options for shared plates or individual choices.

To start we enjoyed juicy and simply gratifying smoked beef short ribs served with a fresh apple, black bean, peanut and shallot salad. Spinach and goats cheese ravioli was similarly delicious and served atop wild mushroom ragout, tomato concasse and watercress.

For the main affair the classic Scholar parmigiana with salt and vinegar fries hits the spot. Think generous chicken schnitzel layered with ham and slathered with ample passata and drapes with cheese. Just yum!

For seafood lovers the oven baked salmon is a must-have, cooked to perfection and served with wilted spinach, confit baby leek, ricotta gnocchi and capers.

Location: 427 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Phone: 03 9964 6976

Link: http://theoxfordscholar.com.au/