I've always had a soft spot for the Historian, tucked away in a little alleyway in the CBD with a step back in time kind of vibe. It was always a sure bet for good wedges and red fizz when I was a broke uni student. So I was disappointed by the new all-grey paint job inside, an ultra modern look which seems to dampen its old world charm. There's enough grey in the city already, surely... I also don't really love the whole having the waitresses dress up in outfits thing (Hawaiian was the theme the Friday I was there) ... I suppose it might be a bit of fun, but I suspect that it might be a ploy to pander to blokes in suits. My final gripe is that my beer came with a rim of lipstick on the glass - hey, it happens, dishwasher tablets are obviously not keeping up with developments in making long lasting lippies! On pointing it out politely to our waitress, the glass was whisked away without a word, and she returned a new glass (clean, happily) also without a word. An "Oh, sorry about that, I'll get you another one" would have gone a long way. But the waitresses were flat out busy with the Friday lunch crowd, and if I had to dress like a hula dancer to serve boozy suits I might be tempted to cut out unnecessary small talk too!
OK, so to the food... which was pretty good, a cut above standard pub fare. I had the zucchini and corn fritters ($17) served with a side salad and aioli, my friends had a burger, paella and salad respectively - all nicely presented, all fresh and flavourful. I didn't indulge this time but from past visits I can vouch that the chips are super crispy. Nice selection of beers on tap including a couple of James Squires brews.
I haven't given up on the Historian, it is doing lunches with a bit of pizzaz. And it still serves its famous wedges ($8). I hope a painting makeover is in its not too distant future and that it loses its depressing grey grunge. Maybe it could let its hardworking waitresses wear normal, comfortable clothes and they might chat and smile more!
But I go back a long way with the Historian, and its not over between us yet. I still like it a lot, and I'll be back :-) read more