Wow, I remember from my time living on Fleurieu Peninsula in the mid to late 80's when the Victory Hotel was a local pub with a colourful front bar, serving ordinary pub tucker.
Our visit there recently however, quickly erased these old images because the Victory has been gentrified and now has brilliant food, an improved wine cellar, enthusiastic and courteous staff and of course as always a majestic view of the mid-coast and north to the city. Fortunately, we'd made a reservation weeks before and were rewarded with a table in a quiet corner near a window with an unobstructed view.
The menu options really impressed and there was also a long list of specials, so it was hard to make a choice, but when we finally did none of us was disappointed and the service, despite the restaurant being packed was responsive and affable.
For entree two of us chose a serving each of vegetarian/tofu spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce as shown under, which was generous, deliciously fresh and non-fatty despite being deep fried. Moreover the dipping sauce tasted like it may have been made 'in-house' as it certainly didn't taste like the bottled version you can buy in supermarkets. Very nice indeed and enough really for the five of us to have a good taste.
Another two shared an entree of rabbit with gnocchi as pictured right, that they greatly enjoyed and insisted I try, as I've always avoided gnocchi because my first and only encounter with it was so awful. I reluctantly obliged and was surprised at how delicious and light it tasted and how perfectly it complemented the rabbit. Needless to say I'm now converted and will happily order this dish if it's still on the menu when we revisit The Victory.
Three of us in the group myself included, then chose the crispy skinned snapper served with curried chick peas, beans and aubergine pickles as shown under left for mains. The snapper was amazingly fresh, a generous serve, cooked as described and the accompaniments complemented it perfectly - we all loved it. The table group also ordered some seasonal vegetables to share and as you can see in the picture under right, this was corn and broccolini with crushed hazelnuts. This dish also featured the freshest of vegetables that were cooked al dente and served hot - fantastic!
Three of us in the group myself included, then chose the crispy skinned snapper served with curried chick peas, beans and aubergine pickles as shown under left for mains. The snapper was amazingly fresh, a generous serve, cooked as described and the accompaniments complemented it perfectly - we all loved it. The table group also ordered some seasonal vegetables to share and as you can see in the picture under right, this was corn and broccolini with crushed hazelnuts. This dish also featured the freshest of vegetables that were cooked al dente and served hot - fantastic!
Our wine accompaniment for the meal was a 2004 Greenoch Creek Shiraz, which was advertised at the bar as a special. There were of course plenty of other wine choices downstairs in the large and well stocked wine cellar but we were pleased to opt for the wine special and enjoyed it thoroughly.
Overall, The Victory deserves its glowing reputation and we are looking forward to the day the Star of Greece reopens under this same management.
Overall, The Victory deserves its glowing reputation and we are looking forward to the day the Star of Greece reopens under this same management.
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