Four in Hand

Good news Sydney drinkers – Colin Fassnidge’s pub grub is even better than it was last year, when we awarded the Paddington pub the Best Bar Food award. The steak is better, the crab on toast more than hits the spot and the whole roast pork belly for $10 is the most exciting pub meal we’ve had in a long time. Did we mention the cool, hospitable and on-the-ball staff, and the fact that this pub serves the cleanest, freshest schooner of Carlton in the district? Or that even during the busiest sporting event, you won’t be waiting more than a couple of minutes for a beer? We love the back room – which holds about 30 people for dinner and drinks and can be reserved with no charge between Monday and Thursday nights – and the fact that you can drink or dine casual in the pub or fine in Fassnidge’s quaint dining room next door. There’s a good list of wines by the glass in the main bar, but if you fancy something a little more interesting, the staff will be happy to source a bottle from the restaurant’s superb wine list, which truly is one of Sydney’s best.