I'm not sure what pubs are like where you are, but in country Australia, they can be hit and miss. They may be expensive tourist traps, run down ma and pa dineries with sub par food, full of drunk tradies in high vis vests, or perhaps just a decent place to get a feed and have a chat to the locals. Or perhaps it's all of the above.
I'm still not sure what to think of the Marrawah Inn. It's very close to the free camp at the popular surf break down the road, and definitely has a surfing theme to it. It's such a mecca that Jamie even bought the tshirt to add to the two stubbie holders we had last time. If you're not sure what they are, they're a kind of rubber sleeve you put round your beer to keep it cool.
When we walked into the bistro, we were given a table and told to look at the menu and come up and order when we were ready. We had a look at the menu and decided not to order yet as it was a little early. The fare was usual - steak, schitnzel, parmi, etc etc. Nothing very special stood out to us, but it was super windy outside and we quite fancied just hanging out and having a beer or two and a meal, which we hadn't done all trip.
We decided to go into the front bar instead. It was very surf themed, with surfboards, photographs and even trophies from the competition they hold there every year. I ordered a white and Jamie ordered a pint of beer - he didn't tell me til later it was $20 a round which is insanely expensive, otherwise there's no way I would have had anything but water - in fact, I would have walked straight out.
I was trying to ignore the fact the woman behind the bar wasn't very friendly. Perhaps it came from a summer of serving tourists but in my mind, if that's your job, grin and bear it. I had heard it was friendly but that wasn't really our experience.
As we sipped our wine and waited for a reasonable time to order, we chatted and people watched. It was beginning to fill up some - though it's quite an isolated community, tourism must keep it afloat, as well as the people who come from miles around to surf.
I was laughing at Jamie who was wondering about what the hell was on the stereo. Of course it was typical '80's pub music. For some reason they always play the same songs in pubs - is there a pub mix that they have to play or they lose their licence? Some songs were just a mystery to him although they're completely familiar to me, having heard them since childhood.
Eagle Rock by Daddy Cool is a classic Aussie rock song released in 1971 which is always a mystery to people who weren't brought up here. It has a laid-back blues style groove with repetitive lyrics perfect for drunken singalongs. 'Eagle Rock' refers to a dance move where you sway side to side, I suppose how eagles rock on their legs, but I've never really thought about it. It's a bit of a cultural anthem and fills us with a wierd nostaglic cultural pride.
We ordered a chicken parmigiana which was at a reasonable price and was bound to be edible (mine without ham). A chicken parmi is a staple in Aussie pubs and you'll usually get a 'pot and parmi' night where you get one at a discount price with a free 'pot' which is a glass of beer. It's basically breaded chicken with a tomato sauce, ham and melted cheese, served with chips and salad.
Whilst we were waiting I informed Jamie a little more about Aussie pub music, such as this one by Cold Chisel. I really don't care much for this band but Australians just love them. To me it reminds me of being kicked out of the Geelong Hotel at 3 am when it closed and wondering how I was getting home and who with.
It's another nostaglic number which Australians seem to love, a poignant tale about returning to a hometown and reflecting on the passage of time, love and loss, with the vivid imagery of flame trees and their striking red flowers to evoke the ache of memory and inevitability of change. Despite myself, I can sing the lyrics. Jamie told me not to. Fair play.
At last, we got our meal. I can't say it's the best parmi I've ever had, and totally regretted ordering it. I should have either gone halvies with Jamie or just got chips and a side salad. The cheese wasn't melted enough and I had to scrape it off, because gross. I should have sent it back but Jamie gave me the look which said please don't cause trouble.
The next song wasn't Australian, but fit the vibe pretty well. My Dad had this on vinyl so it was definitely a '70's tune I could sing along to. Again, Jamie gave me a funny look. He grew up with British music, thanks very much, not this wierd stuff they listen to in the colonies.
The next song wasn't Australian, but fit the vibe pretty well. My Dad had this on vinyl so it was definitely a '70's tune I could sing along to. We'd been forcibly listening to American rock at various campsites, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival on repeat, so I could see why Jamie wasn't best pleased. Listen to the Music by the Doobie Brothers if a feel good song celebrating the uplifting power of music and how it unites people and creates harmony, despite what's going on in the world. It was infectitious enough for me to sing along to and annoy my husband.
When they collected my half eaten meal the publican asked how it was. Jamie said 'nice thanks' and I said 'it was okay - but the cheese wasn't melted and the tomato sauce was cold'. He took it away without saying a thing. Jamie wondered why I had to say anything but I was puzzled why you couldn't give an honest response to a question or why he didn't say anything back. Why ask the question in the first place? Surely you'd want feedback in person instead of an online review?
We didn't linger, needless to say. We'd rather by back down by the ocean listening to waves and the wind instead of 1970's pub tunes.
With Love,
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It look very nice :)
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It sounds like you had quite the experience at the Marrawah Inn! Pubs in rural areas can indeed be a mixed bag, and it seems like this one had its highs and lows. The surfing theme and the memorabilia sound like a cool touch, especially for a place near a popular surf break. It’s always interesting to see how local culture and history are woven into the decor.
The $20 round for drinks does seem steep, especially for a country pub! It’s a shame the service wasn’t as friendly as you’d hoped, but it’s great that you still managed to enjoy some people-watching and a bit of a laugh about the classic Aussie pub tunes. Eagle Rock and Cold Chisel are definitely staples of the pub music scene, and it’s funny how those songs can evoke such strong memories and feelings, even if they’re not everyone’s cup of tea.
As for the chicken parmi, it’s always a bit disappointing when a pub classic doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s good that you gave honest feedback, though—hopefully, they’ll take it on board for future meals. It’s a shame the publican didn’t respond, as constructive criticism can be really valuable for improving the experience for future visitors.
Overall, it sounds like the Marrawah Inn has its charms, but maybe it’s more about the atmosphere and the location than the food and service. Thanks for sharing your experience—it’s always fascinating to hear about these little slices of Aussie life! Cheers, and hopefully your next pub visit will be a bit more satisfying. 🍻
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Coolio! Nice 👍
Of course I remember the Doobie Brothers and Creddence, but not being Australian, none of the rest... Too bad the food wasn't so good.
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Cheers!
Sure. I didn't realize the rule, sorry. For me this pub WAS part of travelling to the area but I'm happy to remove the pin and adhere to the rules.
Thanks for your understanding @riverflows🐝👍