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.
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