Torquay Hotel Motel

The staff and venue were lovely and understanding, and there’s free parking, though no disability parking. But my son and I left hungry and disappointed. There were only a couple of vegan options, so I wouldn’t recommend this place for vegans. I’d said I was vegan, but the garlic bread had butter. The chips tasted like meat, so I wasn’t sure if they contained beef fat. They were otherwise nice, but I couldn’t eat them; a non-vegan would probably love them. The vegan mushroom entree was nice, but it wasn’t on the menu, had quite hot chilli through it, and sat in a pool of oil. It could have been delicious otherwise. The hummus was nice, but I had to ask for more dukkah because there was so little, and the pita chips were soaked in oil, so I only managed a few. The children’s burger looked like a Woolworths hamburger patty on bread. My non-vegan son only ate some of it because he found it dry and tasteless. Prices were high given the food’s lack of quality and freshness.

The Portarlington mussels were a work of art. Big compliments to the very talented chef. The food was more high-end dining quality than the usual pub fare.

The beer garden atmosphere is great, with quick service, good drinks, delicious food, and killer live music. We saw The Growlers in the band room, and the sound was incredible. And the wood-fired pizza is crazy good, on par with pizza I’ve had in Naples. I overheard that they have an Italian pizza chef, and it shows. Epic spot!

Maddy suggested tonight’s pork belly salad special, and it was DaBomb. We’ve asked them to put it on the regular menu because it was so delicious. All the staff were attentive, the drinks and meals came in record time, and the atmosphere was great. We’ll be back for that salad!