Laurel Hotel

Ph: (03) 9370 5089; 289 Mount Alexander Rd, Ascot Vale 3032

Australian Modern, $$
Open 7 days Mon-Sat 10.30am-1am, Sun 12 noon-11pm; Licensed; AE, BC, DC, MC, V, Seats inside 90

Mietta's Review
A place for drinkers who want to eat too. Ignore the pokies on the right of the entrance and go straight into the dining room on the left which has a large atrium painted in a simple and elegant Australian bush motif. The covered courtyard at the back of the brasserie is a nice space to sit with a coffee and catch up on some letters or read the daily newspaper. A serious attempt at better pub food in the inner north west, the Laurel has an interesting daily lunch menu. The Catholic University across the road provides some of the pub's customers but locals and businesspeople are also represented. The dinner menu is described by owner, Eddi Gauci, as Mediterranean/Australian. The public bar is said to be a pre-night clubbing meeting place.