I see more of the state as a result of D’s training requirements during and since university. This time, instead of the Mid-North Coast, it’s the Blue Mountains Area. On a quiet weekend mid-winter, we stopped by the Blue Mountains Hotel for a pub lunch. It’s located directly opposite the train station on the Great Western Highway.
The rustic wooden pub area extends to a formal dining area with a $12.00 lunch special running on weekdays.
It’s the weekend, though, and we’re here for the Beer Battered Fish and Chips ($18.00).
We’ve never had such thin and crispy batter as we have here – there’s an audible crunch from cutting through the fish and with every bite – and it keeps us coming back. The batter smells and tastes slightly of beer but doesn’t overwhelm at all.
On top of being crispy, the fish is also beautifully flaky and juicy, while the chips were crispy with fluffy innards. The salad is a bit of a hit and miss – there’s always a good variety, but it can be a bit old and limp on some days, while fresh and crisp on others.
On another visit, I try their Grilled Barramundi with lime salsa, chips and salad ($19.00)
I’m still chasing that delicious grilled sea bream at Zaou from our visit to Japan in 2014, so with a stellar fried fish, I’m hopeful about their grilled barramundi.
The barramundi is flakey with an enjoyable light citrus tang from the lime salsa. The fish itself is on the dry side, though, and pales in comparison to the juiciness of the battered fish.
The service is very friendly as you’d expect from a pub in a small town catering to locals.
Blue Mountains Hotel is located at 286 Great Western Highway, Lawson NSW 2783.