The Rose has been renovated and as locals we decided to pop in last week for lunch.
What was a homely, slightly shabby pub is now light, bright and airy with a funky tiled and wood floor. It's still comforting and an easy place to feel relaxed in. The service was warm and friendly. Menu is pub grub - not fancy but very familiar. I had the veal shnitzel with mash and gravy and Steve had the burger. We shared some onion rings and croquettes. The food arrived pretty quickly and looked appetising. The brown glossy gravy was particularly tasty looking. |
Steve enjoyed the burger; it was decent enough. The onion rings were dusted in a vinegar powder which was stingingly sharp but I loved that. Probably not a good choice if you have a mouth ulcer though.
Reviews of The Rose have been negative since the renovations. Admittedly, although we are Fitzroy residents, we were never hugely attached to The Rose. It was another decent pub but we weren't regulars and we don't watch AFL art the pub. In all honesty, we probably had a slight preference for The Marquis of Lorne, The Rainbow or The Napier if we had to choose. But I don't think it deserves the negative reviews which seem to come from those who didn't want their stalwart to change. As an infrequent previous punter, I like the new Rose and I think the food is good pub food. It's not as gastro or gourmet as The Town Hall Fitzroy (another favourite) but it is cheaper and more "traditional" so we can certainly make room for it in our hearts.