Oyster Cove Inn at Kettering

Firstly, I owe the hugest apology to Cartouche. Cartouche – please forgive me, for I have sinned!

I had to take another trip to Kettering today to replace my Lee bacon stocks – and the only bacon he had left in the place was marked with YOUR name. So I had to take that one!! But – before you send the boys round to Rita’s to rough her up a bit, Lee promised me he had an extra bit at home which he would reserve for you. I pray that is indeed the case, as I will feel mega-guilty if I’ve got the last bit of Lee bacon left in the world!

Anyway, taking on board Sir Grumpy’s comment that it had gone a bit quiet here on the blog over the last few days, I thought I’d visit somewhere new to write about. Lee recommended Mermaid Café (at the Bruny Island ferry terminal), but I got side-tracked on the way, and ended up lunching at Oyster Cove Inn.



There were positives and negatives about my experience today, but overall it was just OK. The food was exactly what you should expect at a country pub that is in the midst of being renovated. It was simply pub grub. Nothing to write home about, but not too bad either.



Not being overly hungry, I selected the squid. It was described on the menu as being salted, and served on greens with a Thai dressing, and was listed under the entrees at $15.

As you will see from the photo, it represented great value for money, as I got quite a plateful which was way more than I expected.

The squid was sliced quite widely, which I didn’t really like. I think I prefer my sliced squid to be more ribbon-thin. Apart from that, it was fine. Served with chips and the salad, it would have filled anyone, I reckon.

Their menu had the usual pub food – steaks, fish, chicken, and a few desserts.

I’d say the new owner could decide to go either of 2 ways, with the restaurant. He could keep it as it currently is, ticking along in an average way, serving all those who are happy to sit in that room with the most stunning view ever, surveying the marina, boats and water, or he could install a ‘name’ chef, and have it as a food destination: offer an accommodation and gourmet food package, maybe have cooking classes in off times. (I remember Greg James planning something similar down there many years ago when he had at-that-time-famous chef Rick Perry cooking there. The name Greg and Rick came up with for the planned cooking weekends was “Eat, Drink and Meet Perry” which I thought quite catchy and clever!). (BTW - what ever happened to Rick Perry – does anyone know? Last I heard of him, he had the licence at Tasmanian Inn, but that was ages ago. The food would have been gorgeous when he was there.).

Whatever, the new OC owner is spending heaps there, and adding a deck off the main restaurant overlooking the marina, which will be great in summer. When all is finished, it will be a great pub to visit, and I wish them luck.