September 22, 2009: The Gem

One of my colleagues has initiated a semi-regular Pub Club, an informal gathering of friends amongst a mutual involvement inwards sampling the beers too pub meals available merely about the inner north. This calendar week it was also an chance for Michael too I to drive the Gem bar for the outset time; we'd heard practiced things virtually the nutrient but hadn't made it to the far side of Smith St. It's a pleasant pubby infinite amongst a rockabilly vibe too a designated dining room tucked circular the side.

The card is typically loud too proud amongst its meaty mains but there's few options for the vegetarian. Many of the sides - such every bit sagnaki, dark-green beans & feta, spinach chilli & lemon, too patatas bravas ($7 each)- audio tasty plenty to justify a sharing-plates strategy. Less inspiring is the pasta amongst napoli too parmesan ($12), too hence hooray for the haloumi burger ($15) listed farther down. Michael too I requested i each too when I noticed garlic aioli listed separately on the card ($1), I pose inwards an guild for that too.

The burger isn't a big 'un however this dish unlikely to teach out anyone hungry. The haloumi is served inwards sizable slabs, amongst a smattering of salad too spicy chutney. Then there's the vast surface area of chips lapping upwards against it - I'm non certain the photograph to a higher house does it justice! Crisp too skinny, these are to a greater extent than fries than chips, to move grabbed unceremoniously yesteryear the handful, dunked liberally inwards aioli too stuffed inelegantly into one's mouth. To create anything to a greater extent than prissy would accept hours to clear the plate, or at to the lowest degree that's what I told myself.

At $15 the haloumi burger too fries is reasonable value, for the quantity every bit much every bit the quality. This doesn't appear to move the illustration across the menu, amongst some of the fancier dishes (e.g. the confit duck leg) coming inwards to a greater extent than refined serves. The Gem's a nice topographic point for a casual repast (and a alive band!) but you lot can't afford to move likewise casual virtually arranging a tabular array - fifty-fifty on a Tuesday nighttime the house was packed out.

Address: 289 Wellington St, Collingwood
Ph: 9419 5170
Licensed
Price: vego snacks & sides $7, mains $12-15
Website: www.myspace.com/thegemcollingwood