Lunch Hour: The Exeter Hotel
For Lunch Hour this week, we head to an east end hotel, but instead of eating a schnitzel, we venture out and try something else on the menu.
When I first dined at The Exeter Hotel, I did so unwillingly (it was for a work function). Though I’d ventured to the east end pub on various occasions for a pint and some hot chips, I’d never thought to order a meal – it didn’t pick me as the type of place that would serve quality.
But when I sat upstairs on the balcony next to my colleagues sharing obligatory conversations about the weather and what we were up to at the weekend, I took a bite out of my chicken schnitzel with mushroom sauce and was pleasantly surprised.
It was probably one of the best schnitzels I’ve ever had, and now when I crave a pub feed, I crave an Exeter pub feed.
I wouldn’t consider this to be a hidden gem, however, I do feel like the quality of the menu is somewhat of an unknown delicacy.
But I’m not here to tell you to go eat a schnitzel for lunch (though The Exeter schnitzel wouldn’t hurt). I’m sure you all have your favourite local pub that serves a perfectly fine schnitzel and let’s be real, it’s not always the most well-loved option for a quick midday feed.
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Let me, instead, turn your attention to The Exeter pie.
This pie has become some sort of symbol of good times in the Solstice office – it’s now our regular Friday lunch meal (sorry, Nano’s pasta).
The pie fillings change every week – a sign of fresh ingredients – and on the day I visit and assess whether it’s an appropriate Lunch Hour fit, it’s got beef, bacon and stout served with mashed potatoes and jus.
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A gourmet pie of such calibre is an awkward one to eat – it’s not a two-hand, eat-in-the-plastic-packaging, Vili’s-like activity that we’re all used to.
I recommend – as someone who has eaten three of these pies in the last two weeks 😐 – splitting it in half, letting the filling ooze out, and cutting a perfectly-ratioed mouthful of potato, pastry and meat for every bite. It’s delicious and the generous serving of mashed potato means it really fills you up (I sometimes struggle to finish it).
But let’s not move past the filling just yet – it was so tasty! The beef was tender and melted in my mouth with every bite.
This pie costs $32.90, which is definitely on the pricier side for a pub meal, but I think it’s worth it, given its taste and size.
I will definitely be coming back for more Lunch Hour pies at The Ex.
What’s your favourite CBD Lunch Hour spot? Let me know.
The Exeter is located at 246 Rundle Street, Adelaide and the kitchen is open every day for lunch from 12pm until 2.30pm, then Monday to Friday for dinner from 6pm until 9pm, then Saturday from 5pm until 8pm.
Connect with the business on Instagram for more.
