Masala choices

After a short-lived run as Badyals (complete with misguided World-on-a-plate external graphics which made it look like it must be a travel agent) the tired exterior of the former Bengal Tiger has been stripped back to reveal the original exterior tiling of the Nelson Hotel. Following successive failed experiments now at operating a successful Indian restaurant on this corner (and with Montague Street's other pub building currently laying empty) I'd imagine that there's a plot twist in store in the next chapter of the landmark. 

Which is good news for tiny upstart My Masala, who popped up unexpectedly not far along City Road last year, in the narrow terrace next door to the wondrous Wayside Inn. Peering through the window it really does look like this is a restaurant of just four tables; although in reality there is a second, even more bijou, room behind. However some tasteful decorative touches manage to make the modest little restaurant welcoming once you step past the vivid livery.

Good beer

If, like 3AW, you count the Palace Hotel as a Port Melbourne pub, then there'll be no contest as to the place to go to soak up some of this year's Good Beer Week. They're turning over all ten of their, already impressively adventurous, taps to take on some "Southern" themed wonders from South Island NZ, South Australia, Southern Belgium etc...

Meanwhile a survey of the town's other pub taps reveals minimal changes since last year. Both the Prince Alfred and The Pier pay homage to our local brewery by taking on Minimum Chips (shame it's Matilda Bay's least inspiring beer by a long shot). A much bolder addition is Little Creature's IPA in The Exchange yet not, surprisingly, in the Rose Diner (which does however now offer Schöfferhoffer Hefeweizen). However these days the most adventurous taps with a 3207 postcode now come courtesy of Mr Lawrence (at The London).

Happy butt sniffing

The Palace Hotel, just one block from the North Eastern boundary between South and Port Melbourne, has been through more than its fair share of incarnations its 139 year history. In recent years of course it's gone from (Luke Mangan's) Palace Hotel, briefly to SoHo and back, but it was originally built as Meagher's Hotel and has also been known as the Partner’s Tavern and, my personal favourite, the Pickled Pig Hotel.

Given its recent history, as a restaurant in pub clothing, it seems quite audacious for Jess, Pratty and Dan, the latest operators, to reverse the general trend and attempt to fashion an old-school local pub from the space. It's a certainly a transformation seeing beer trays, a pool table and particularly a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, where there used to be crisp white table clothes. They're justifiably proud to be free of TAB and loud music, and of the rarest of pub assets ... a leafy (and now mutt welcoming) garden.

The beer loving inhabitants of Port Melbourne can save their legs, as the range and enthusiasm for craft beers here is at least as great as at the nearby Wayside Inn and O'Connells. The only downside that I can see is that the huddle of stools round the bar, favoured by regulars, creates a bit of a barrier to ordering that passing trade may find off putting.

Beers on tap: Carlton, Trumer Pils, Stone & Wood Pacific Ale, 3 Ravens Pale Ale, Bridge Port IPA, Mountain Goat IPA, Hargreaves Hill ESB, Moo Brew Dark Ale
Wine range: $9.50 - $11
Parma: Yes ($12 on Mondays)
Gastro: No and proud of it
Tradie vs Yuppy: Deliberately an all-comers kind of place

Bengal Tiger

Until late last year the former Nelson Hotel in South Melbourne provided the closest source of authentic Indian food for most Port Melburnians. The distinctively burgundy Bengal Tiger is hard to miss, sat as it is overlooking the busy intersection of City Road and Montague Street, just a block in between the Wayside Inn and The Palace.

Despite an incredibly high profile location, the Tiger always seemed to struggle to entice enough people to fill its many tables. For many, the slightly tired exterior hinted at a similar ambience indoors; which was unfortunate although the split room arrangement could be a bit chilly and meant that the waiter was often in the other room when you wanted him. Now however the corner entrance has been reinstated and opens into the, now cosy, main dining area.

Although at first slightly daunting, it is in fact not difficult to find places to park near the Bengal Tiger and there are tram stops on both the 96 and 109 within easy walking distance. Now's a good time to give it another go as the staff are fresh and eager to please, as is the food.

Falling by

The Wayside Inn shares the Fleece's achilles heel of a sub optimal location, perched as it is at the intersection of City Road and Ferrars Street, with no other hostelries of note nearby.

However the similarities end there as the Wayside is an altogether more invigorating proposition, with more friendly staff, a more earthy interior, and a triangular beer garden tucked cleverly on the quieter side of Ferrars Street. And opening either the food or drink menu reveals an unexpected and exciting array of options that put most of Port's pubs to shame.

This is definitely a pub that justifies the inevitable trek to get to it (it is actually close to a tram stop (City Road) - but that's on the 96 route). The beer selection alone is outstanding, although the giant chalk board map of Victorian breweries on one wall has yet to be updated to show Matilda Bay as being just round the corner.

Beers on tap: Carlton Draught, 4Pines Kolsch, Cavalier Pale Ale, Stone & Wood Jasper Ale, Mclaren Vale Ale, Trumer Pils
Wine range: $7 - $11
Parma: No but you won't be disappointed by the burger
Gastro: Yes
Tradie vs Yuppy: Menu screams yuppy, but bar is relaxed