Kenmore Tavern

Food Four of us dined, with one toddler on a chilly winter night in June. Ordering can be done via an app and a barcode, or directly with wait staff. We chose the latter, and started with a schooner of my fav Rogers Dark Ale, a pint of Great Northern original and cold drinks for the ladies. For our entrees, we choose the garlic bread ($8) and the salt and pepper calamari ($16). The garlic bread comprised four chunky pieces of bread smothered in butter. The calamari was soft and chewy, but a small serving for 16 pesos. For mains, we went for the prawn spag ($31), fish and chips ($29), beef cheek ragout ($29) and a lamb salad ($23). We finished off with a shared sticky date pud ($13). My fish and chips was a decent portion of succulent hake served with crunchy chips and fresh, wholesome salad. My wife’s beef cheeks were melt-in-your-mouth tender, topped with basil and a creamy sauce, and mixed up in a tasty stew with pappardelle pasta. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Our fave sticky date dessert did not disappoint. The pud was moist, yet firm and served with a rich butterscotch sauce and accompanied with a dollop of ice cream and two fresh strawberries. Ambience The Kenmore is a large venue with multiple eating and drinking areas. We were dining in the main restaurant area, which had a stylish, elegant and modern look and feel to it, with large round tables and comfy upholstered chairs. Being winter, we sat indoors, but there is also an outdoor terrace which could be ideal in summer. The décor is warm and homely with wooden floors and dark wooden beams on the ceilings and strong lighting. Despite it being a Mon night in mid-winter, there was a decent turnout, and by the time we left at around 7.30pm, most tables were, or had been occupied. The ambience was casual, laid back and relaxed, and despite the crowds, the acoustics were good and we were easily able to converse. Either effective insulation or invisible heating kept the place warm as toast despite it being a chilly night. Service There were a bevy of male and female staff on duty, all neatly turned out in smart uniforms and professional in their attitude. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the pretty maître d and showed to a large round table in the middle of the main dining area. Orders were promptly taken and drinks, entrees and main courses came out in the correct order, although there was a delay of 20 minutes between entrees and main courses. Our chief server was a young gentleman, unfortunately whose name I didn’t get, but he was truly a gem. He was clearly well trained and experienced and it showed because under his guidance everything ran smoothly. Cost This isn’t a cheap place. Schooners of beer can set you back 9 pesos, steaks are in the 40-53 price range. Now I don’t blame Kenmore entirely for this, because we are now experiencing hyperinflation the likes of which we’ve never experienced, thanks to massive overspending by governments and loose monetary policy. In the end, our bill came to 190 pesos and for that we got a couple of drinks, two starters, four mains, one kids meal and one dessert. A few years ago, this would have been 150. Summary This is essentially quite an upmarket joint with a stylish and elegant interior design, but retaining that homely neighbourhood vibe where everyone feels comfy and relaxed. Food was first class and the service was polite, friendly and efficient. Add to that, easy parking right outside the venue and ample clean and well provisioned toilets and you have all the ingredients for a fun night out with family or friends. Memo This hotel is part of the Aust Venue Company’s stable of pubs and hotels. If you join their rewards program, you will earn points each time you dine, but just make sure to order via the app or get the staff to enter your details. I had accumulated enough points prior to this, to score a 50 peso discount.

My friend Russell & I had a meal here tonight- was amazing best meal I've had in ages. Penny- Food was amazing. Steak cooked as asked for, very nice cut. Tender & not chewy. Could eat mushroom sauce like soup. Pub veggies usually over cooked, tasteless & mushy but these were amazing whatever they cooked them in was so good. Chips were crunchy and tasty, caramel chocolate brownie with berries, edible flowers & ice cream was literally to die for! Would come here just to eat 10 of them. Slightly slow service for desert but all staff very friendly and helpful, otherwise fantastic service. Thank you so much 😁💖 Definitely recommend this restaurant. 🙌🙌⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Russell- Food was very enjoyable and we've had an amazing time here thank you so much guys. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Kenmore Tavern has lots of different spaces -- a restaurant/coffee shop, a really nice courtyard and pub area, and a Back Bar for playing pool and wagering if you happen to be into that. (I'm not.) Live music 1:30-5:30 Sundays in the courtyard. (Parking tip: it gets a bit full between the Tavern and ALDI; park at the First Choice bottle shop OR drive around front, past the Post Office and toward Nando's and Woolies...always spots in those two places.)

As a usual local community reviewer I feel like I had to do this review. We had dinner on Wednesday night and I can just say everything was perfect! Atmosphere, hygiene, wait staff lovely, food right on point and simply delicious. Didn’t have enough time to talk to the chef but I waved at him and thanked him for the food. We loved everything about this place. Maybe one thing to keep in mind for next time, don’t put 2 booking tables too close specially if it’s not a busy time as you can heard or the people conversations and it isn’t very pleasant. Definitely coming back, highly recommended! Keep it up guys