New Dog Puts Its (Paw) Print On Randwick Dining Scene

By Vicki Heath on March 7, 2013 in Food

Howl to the moon pub lovers, the DOG is your new local haunt. The revamped Duke Of Gloucester Hotel is back with a fancy new black and white sign out the front, an upscale interior upstairs and some delicious pub grub on the menu.

Whilst downstairs is the same old stomping ground for the regulars, trading on its bread and butter staples cold beer, sport on the big screens and a TAB, the bistro has been bumped upstairs and it’s a whole new ball game.

The renovated upper level bistro and lounge bar is clean and modern, featuring a black and white marble bar, exposed timber beams and granite pillars. It’s got that Melbourne feel that people tend to get excited about. The attached balcony is perfect for sunny arvos and the fireplace inside is the perfect spot for cosy red wine afternoons once winter sets in.

The DOG’s pub grub is some of the best around. Head chef Chris Ryan (formerly from Otto’s) has created an extensive menu that’s big on variety and includes obvious Moroccan and Asian influences, and the open kitchen means you can see him doing his thing.

Dining features include glass display cabinets with prime cuts of meat and an all you can eat salad and veggie bar. There’s also a cook your own grill for the blokes who like to put a steak on the barbie, control their own char, and have a beer while the ladies natter the evening away over a vino or two.

The DOG’s taster plates are a winner too. You can get a combo of eight items for just $50, taking your pick from duck pancakes, zucchini fritters, garlic prawns, chicken wings, salt and pepper squid, chorizo, patatas bravas and crispy pork belly.

Seafood-wise, oysters, mussels, seafood linguine and salmon are all on the menu. There is also a range of stir-fry dishes, steaks cooked to perfection by the chefs and a beef and Guinness pie with mash that’s always a bestseller.

This new-look DOG is definitely a family friendly pub with an extensive kids menu, plenty of desserts and a new lift for prams coming soon.

Licensee Sam Score recently made the DOG home and is passionate about working with its owners, the Newhaven Group, to deliver the right experience to locals.

If you want to know what the DOG has on today, check out www.thedoghotel.com.au where there’s a deal for everyone (think $15 burger and beers club for students, $8 CYO (cook your own) rump for tradies and ladies, your second main free on Tuesdays, or a $12 schnitty with a choice of eight toppings). And if you’re after some fun with your food, Wednesday is trivia night and there’s live music on Saturdays.

Oh, and if that’s not enough, a huge reconstruction of the beer garden is about to culminate in a pretty amazing drinking locale – two garages have been taken out for the privilege!

So spread the word: there’s a new DOG in town and it’s bound to get your pub loving tail wagging.

The Duke of Gloucester Hotel

Location: 2 St Marks Road, Randwick
Phone: (02) 9398 2682
Website: www.doghotel.com.au
Open: Mon–Sat, 11am–Midnight; Sunday 10am–10pm
Seats: 180+
Price: $5 – $26
Cards: All cards plus ATM onsite
Licensed/BYO: No