With a fabulous new facelift, and a new chef on board, I was super keen to check out the new look Victoria Hotel in Yarraville. Whilst it doesn't look much from the outside, this fabulous pub is testament to the old adage 'don't judge a book by its cover '. It's surpringly really spacious inside, with several different zones, all designed around a central bar. The huge dining room is beautifully decorated, and has an elegant but relaxed vibe, with comfortable furniture. Adjacent to this is a fabulous kid's play area, with everything necessary to keep the kids happy so that Mum and Dad can have some down time. They even have children's entertainment on the weekend, and a good menu aimed at the little ones. Two large reception rooms are available for hire, whether it be parties, weddings or seminars. These two are decorated beautifully, and the floor lenth mirrors and ceiling details are gorgeous. The front area is a more relaxed area, with a lounge area to one side, and rows of tall tables with stools on the other. Several tvs are set up to view major sporting events, so in essence, The Victoria Hotel has something for everyone.

We decided to test out the bar, and we sampled some lovely wines, beer, an Aperol Spritz and Espresso Martini. All the drinks were fabulous, and the bar is well stocked with a good cocktail list.

By this stage, our entrees arrived and we were pleased with the efficiency of the kitchen. We tried the divine arancini, calamari and mini bread loaf. The arancini were really good. Nice and crispy and perfectly seasoned, with a really delicious sauce served with them. The calamari was really tender, and the aioli was also excellent. The coating was nice and thin, so you didn't lose the flavour of the squid. The bread loaf was amazing. Served warm, this fabulous loaf was perfect for dipping in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and I could have eaten the lot if I wasn't trying to avoid carbs.

The standard of food at this hotel really is top notch. It has the usual suspects, but they are cooked impeccably, as we were about to discover with the mains. The steak was still juicy and pink, with that delicious charred edge. It came with the most delicious jus and a fabulous mushroom sauce, and an ample serving of chips and salad. Not your standard pub steak, this really is up there with some of the best restaurants in town.

The salmon was so full of flavour and the crispy, salty skin was amazing. Mashed potato was creamy, the greens were still tender and the sauce was divine.

Although we were edging towards full, we had to sample the desserts. A panacotta served in a glass was topped with berries and coulis, and was creamy and delicious. The chocolate brownie came served warm with ice-cream, chocolate soil and berries. This was heaven on a plate, with just the right amount of fudginess. The rich, chocolate flavour wasn't too sweet, and the berries were lovely and sharp.

Throughout our whole dinner, the staff were attentive and delightful. It's clear that they are passionate about the new look hotel, and hospitality is their number one goal. With it's recent overhaul, the Victoria Hotel has really stepped up it's game. The relaxed and friendly vibe makes it a great venue for families, couples, large groups and everyone in between. The staff have worked really hard to make it a welcoming place to visit, and we will return again soon.