Huzzah, a new non-pokies "gastro-pub" in the inner west!
Those of us who are busy gentrifying Footscray now have a choice of three retrofitted beer halls to frequent: The Station was first out of the door a few years ago, and now the Reverence and the Plough have come out to form a tidy triumvirate: The Station is upmarket (expensive steaks, big wine list) while the Reverence is shabby chic and geared to twenty -somethings (cheap beer, punk bands, tacos). The Plough, with it's robust beer selection and attractively priced pub meals, fits smack dab in the middle. This is the place to go if you're a couple in your thirties looking for a stylish local where you can get your micro brew groove on, or a young family looking for a convenient, affordable meal for your brood.
The folks behind the Plough have taken a formally down at heels sports bar on an undeniably ugly corner of Barkly Street and Geelong Road and turned it right around. The space is tres Melbourne: White walls and glossy tiles, enormous picture windows, terrariums, and interesting light fixtures. The two dining rooms are cavernous but were absolutely packed with local families and Footscray dwelling hipsters the night we dined there. And no wonder: With a strong array of Victorian beers on offer, including Mornington Peninsula pale ale, Three Ravens, and Brunswick Bitter, and some very well executed pub standards, the food and drink at the Plough is miles beyond most of the other joints in the inner west.
Besides your standard parma and burger, the Plough also serves up wood fired pizzas and some interesting salads. We had the black quinoa with micro herbs, beetroot, and a queso fresco type cheese and it would have been great if they hadn't loaded it down with salt. Watch your sodium dudes! Parma was juicy and crispy and the chips were among the best I've had in Australia.
I was impressed with the Plough and will certainly be back soon. read more