PWTN

Set within the historic bluestone building (formerly known as the Royal Highlander Hotel (1878-1962) and the Peter Lalor Hotel (1962-2014)), the Pub With Two Names (PWTN) is a modern restaurant and grill which proudly sources high quality produce and boast a stunning wine selection.

We loved tasting our way through the menu. To start we loved the crispy calamari. Think thick crispy chickpea batter encasing tender rings of calamari tossed with chilli and coriander and served with luscious pimento mayo and lime.

The pan fried halloumi was similarly delicious and served with besan tempura broccolini, creamy sumac yoghurt and herbs.

For the main affair the crispy skin salmon fillet was beautiful. Cooked to perfection, the salmon went perfectly with a charred medley of vegetables, slightly tart pomegranate dressing, puffed buckwheat, sweet potato crisps and hommus.

A visit to PWTN would of course be incomplete without one of their steaks. Displaying a mastery in the manner the steak was cooked, the inch thick cut of scotch fillet was cooked perfectly from end to end. A good searing ensured that the steak was lined with a thin crisp layer packed with caramelised beef flavour.

Our visit to PWTN concluded on a theatrical note with the restaurant’s take on the classic bombe Alaska - A bomb of vanilla gelato and tequila lime sorbet, raspberry pate with torched swiss meringue and caramel sauce. Just yum!

Relaxed dining where locals and visitors can wine and dine in a quirky art centric space, the PWTN is a real gem.

Location: 331 Mair St, Ballarat Central

Phone: (03) 4373 2432

Link: www.thepwtn.com.au