Bar, bistro and gaming well describes this venue well. Located above Central Railway Station and accessible by stair or escalator from the railway concourse, you enter a large bar area with stools and seating offered. Various beers on tap, wines and other drinks. An enclosed and windowless room has the gaming machines thankfully quarantines from the restaurant having several tables giving a view of the food preparation. Typical bistro menu of steaks, salads, fish and the like in hearty servings is available. Most mains cost around $12 with $18 specials including a pint of beer (all types available). The Curry of the day was chicken with papadams and rice and some chutney. Quite spicy and enjoyable as were the steaks ordered by my fellow diners. Not a bad spot for a reasonable lunch with friends, certainly centrally located and not far to catch your train home.
Orange Blossom Special
+4.5
Membership has its privileges!. Having passed this restaurant numerous times, located just by the Central Train Station, I thought it was time to check Harlequin Jack out. As I usually do, I looked at their menu on-line first and I’m glad I did as they have member and non-member pricing. Becoming a member is free and also on their website and the difference in price is quite substantial!
Upon entering, I found the place to be quite quiet which was interesting as it was right at noon. A gentleman behind the bar helped get me my membership card as it was ready for pick-up. He explained the place to me: Bar service with drinks ordered at one counter and food items ordered at another. Food could be consumed in either the lounge or restaurant area but not in the gaming rooms. He handed me a menu and I had a quick look again, although I already knew what I was going to have.
Entrees ranged from $6-10 members/$8-14 non-members, Salads, Sandwiches & Wraps $9-18 members/$12-20 non, Pasta $12 members/$16 non, Burgers, Pizzas & Mains $12-18 members, $16-25 non. (All the kid’s menu item prices are $10.) Having a membership makes a big difference!
I ordered the Mexican Nachos with chili con carne added ($10, $14 for non-members). I paid with a credit card and was informed that there would be a 1.5% transaction fee which wasn’t a big deal as it only added 15 cents to my bill. But just a heads up for patrons.
After paying, I was given a buzzer/beeper gadget but with the medical state I was in, it was obvious that me carrying food and trying to go up and down the stairs that seemed to be all over this place, was perhaps not the best idea. I asked the gentleman if someone could bring my food out to me. He told me to leave the buzzer with him and he’d get it. He was so nice about it! This made my day as I was absolutely appreciative of his gesture!
I chose to sit on the lounge side as there was music playing – but not too loudly – on a large screen TV, and there were other smaller TVs around, some showing sports. I picked a high table with bar stool chairs but there were also lower tables as options.
Before sitting I did get a water from another bar tender who was also very pleasant and put both a slice of lemon and lime in my water. Nice touch!
My nachos soon arrived and the gentleman had also brought me out my cutlery and many napkins (very wise!). Again I was so appreciative of this!
The nachos were smaller than I was expecting but the chili con carne on top certainly added a lot of heft to it! I could see that the nachos had been baked as the tortilla chips were still quite warm. Digging through, I found that there was not a lot of cheese so if ordering just the plain nachos, they may be very boring, if not disappointing. There was definitely a fair amount of jalapenos with a bit of a kick, but the warmth was so welcoming on such a cold day! The nachos came with both sour cream and guacamole which was a nice surprise as usually guacamole costs extra!
I found this restaurant to be very clean and orderly as the staff were constantly cleaning. Everyone I spoke to was very friendly and approachable so I could see how this could be a favourite watering hole. And with it being so close to a train station, I think this is a great place to meet and have a lunch with colleagues and also a great place to unwind after work. …Just don’t forget to bring your membership card!
Very nice pub with a lovely vibe. Beautiful friendly staff, very welcoming. Awesome food, we've been here a few times and have always had consistently good food and amazing friendly service.
Interesting place! A basic bar and bistro attached to the Sofitel, but which you enter via a staircase up from Central Station.
Atmosphere was quiet when we stopped by for lunch. The venue is split into three rough sections: a bar area with big TV's showing sport; a pokies room; and a bistro dining area.
We both ordered the steal lunch special. Very fairly priced at $15. Steak was small but cooked extremely well, I really enjoyed it. Cane with a small side salad and a generous serve of thick cut chips.
A nice, pleasant lunch for a work day. Worth a visit. 👍
I was hesitant to walk to walk up the plethora of stairs after leg day.... But it was worth it , staff were amazing so friendly
, Lots of beers on tap . I had some lunch $20 for a parmy was on point as far as chook on a plate with chips goes. Was clean lots of tab screens and pokies if that is what floats your boat. Give it a crack 😉
Tasty lunch time specials. Fish and chips for less than $14. Good atmosphere lots of working folk head here for lunch. Staff are great and its located right above Central Station too.
Lovely staff, great service and really good food at affordable prices, definitely a good place to have a few drinks and good meal with friends.
Definitely recommend hj's
Great city pub for lunch. Excellent food at economical price.
Although a little limited menu the food is exceptional, the staff super nice and friendly. If I could 10 star this venue I would.
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