Short review: This place is confused. The front bar is an old man's pub whilst out the back is trying way-too-hard to be a steakhouse and failing miserably ($40 to cook your own steak?). Phillip is definitely missing a foot, cos this place is hopping mad!
Long review: Last weekend after a shocker at The Glenmore (we decided to leave after bad vibes and bad food) myself and my 2 chums were looking for another place to drown our happiness. We walked past The Observer, a usual haunt, because they had the visibility funstoppers on display (3 douche gorilla's folding arms at the front entrance) and without thinking I blurted out "What about Phillip's Foote?"
My mate, a Rocks regular, remarked "Whose Phillip? and what's wrong with his foot?". I said, no um, Phillip's Foote you know? with an e? His raised eyebrow and "aren't you special" glance let me know he regarded me as the dumbest melon on the planet. I tried to recover by suggesting it was right next door to Rockpool, opposite the cop shop. I probably shouldn't have mentioned Rockpool as it made me look even poncier.
Anyhoo, both lads knew where the cop shop was (by this stage we were walking right past it) and indeed PF's itself. I nodded my head towards the doorway as we passed, and my friend's comment was "this sh--thole?" as he jerked his thumb in the direction of the bar. I clearly don't understand rhetorical sarcasm because as I cleared my throat in preparation of the establishment's defence he finished his assessment with a colourful "Hell no!" before we all walked to the Fortune and our night was saved!
The important points of this little ditty are the following:
- In literally 2 decades worth of drinking in this area my mate has never set foot inside... the Foote!
- He's walked past it any number of times to/from Fortune, Orient, Observer, Mercantile... and never even knew it existed.
- I didn't have any words to defend the place. I couldn't think of a reason to go there. I certainly couldn't think of one to trump the Fortune.
- I've only been to the Foote twice myself. Once in the last couple of weeks, and once many many moons ago.
Here's my take on my most recent visit, which was soured by a few things:
1. The Price -- $36 for a steak you ultimately cook yourself is an absolute rip-off. Just because you are next door to Rockpool does not give you the right to charge Rockpool prices. And let's face it. Neil himself would probably be cooking your steak, and serving it to you. Is cooking for myself (after doing it all week) somehow considered a luxury now?
2. The Quality -- The meat was probably fine, maybe even very good. However, I made the silly mistake of choosing a marinated steak. The marinade wasn't well conceived and was probably just the little bits left in every bottle they could find (I know right! This usually makes a marinade fit for a king but not at the Foote).
3. The Beer -- Shame they don't serve "Flat Tire Ale" here, it'd be a delicious irony. Headless beer served not very cold in plastic jugs just isn't my bag. Beggars can't be choosers, but at the Foote you'd be excused for thinking you are a Fortune 500 member with the cook-your-own-steak-for-$40 policy. So the beer should suit... Or, maybe I'm missing the point, and the beer fits PERFECTLY. Lazy cooks, Lazy bar staff. The beer here is that tepid VB swill you'd find in that old man bar that you used to sneak into as a 17-year-old with all your boofhead mates.
4. The Atmosphere -- We were yelled at by some couple two tiers above us in the rafters, to shut up because we were too loud. Ohhhh so sorry I didn't realise PF's was The Rocks #1 romantic destination. Being that there was 10 of us crowded around a BBQ table designed for 8, being forced to drink crappy jugs of beer and engage in conversation in a tiny space, how about YOU shut up and buy your partner a real dinner in a real restaurant where all the subtle nuances and etiquette and quiet ambience are built in... Oh you know, like say Rockpool (which I've mentioned 50 times now) which is right next door for chrisakes!
5. The Public Bar -- what? There's a public bar? Err yeah, you could almost be forgiven for thinking this is a thoroughfare. I dunno who frequents it, sit in it or decides to have a beer in it. You basically go to the "public bar" to order/get your drinks then you return to your table outside to consume them.
In closing: In close proximity of Phillip's Foote are literally a coupla dozen or more better places to spend your money on drinks and/or food - so why would you bother to go here? There is no actual drawcard. Oh sorry I forgot, you get to cook your own $40 steak. My mistake this place should be packed given that sort of incentive! read more