The Pemberton Hotel

We live in Quinninup and took my wife to Karri Valley Resort for a Valentine's Day stay. On the way there and again on the way back, we stopped at Pemberton hotel. Both times I had the scotch well done, and both steaks were probably the best cooked I've had in ages. The old-school Aussie pub charm, brilliant staff and service, and a chef who cooks with love make this place hard to recommend highly enough. Keep it up, guys. We'll be back again and again!

We visited the pub on Thursday and Saturday evenings, had a couple of drinks each time, and enjoyed the nachos. The bar staff were friendly. On Saturday, though, we ordered garlic bread and got three pieces of buttered bread with no hint of garlic. A bar staff member heard my concern but didn't do anything about it. The squid rings, salads and chips were tasty. A nearby family was distracting, especially when the father put his dirty feet on the table where people were eating. Again, telling the bar staff got nowhere. We moved to a table far away, out of earshot of a barking dog. Otherwise, an interesting experience.

I chose the Pemberton hotel for lunch based on earlier reviews, but was sadly disappointed. My $36 pan-fried fish with chips and salad wasn't good. The chips were barely cooked, lukewarm and pale. The barramundi was dry, and the salad was mostly thick lettuce stalks cut near the root, with no leaves, tomatoes, onion, cucumber or dressing.

I was really grateful for the meal the chef put together so I could eat without a reaction. The server, Chaz (I think that's the spelling, sorry if not), kindly checked my allergies with the chef. He was friendly and professional, and we had a great chat about Crohn's. The chef even came out to speak with me before making the meal. The food was delicious, the service wonderful, and the place has been around for 100 years this April. Highly recommend.