Awesome Tom Thumb at Matthew Flinders Hotel

Remember I was talking about this awesome place yesterday, TOM THUMB in MATTHEW FLINDERS HOTEL (near Chadstone Mall) offering AUD10 MEAL DEALS with the first drink on the house??! Well, I kid you not. Look at the above picture. It's for EVERY Friday night from 7-9pm. Not a minute sooner... we were there 10minutes to 7pm, went to order only to be told that the chef is really particular and patrons can only place orders 7pm and after.

So, we waited just slightly after 7pm and placed our orders. Before our mains, we were served with bread and butter. Not to sound like I am whinging (Aussies say this instead of whining) but it was nothing spectacular to shout about although it did appease our growling stomachs. 

Now, not all pubs/hotels serve buns. So far, based on our experience, only Lunico (I have yet to blog about) doesn't serve any. MCCLUSKEY'S at Knox Club was lovely; the bun was warm and the right dough texture complimented with the delightfully creamy butter.

Whilst waiting for our food, we took in our surroundings. It was simple, spacious and cosy. I think slightly dimmed lights tend to lend a warm and intimate feeling to the room. If it is too bright, it's harsh to the eyes, highlighting the area's imperfections, at times. Around 7pm, the dining area was relatively sparse with people starting to walk in.

Just a couple of tables were seated with a family and another, a table of friends, I presume. 

And soon enough, Mr. C's dinner choice for the night was a lovely looking Chicken Parmigiana; chicken schnitzel topped with napoli sauce, ham and cheese with fries buried underneath (seems to be the usual style of presentation) accompanied at the side by a simple green salad.

The chicken texture was the opposite of dry. It was fried on the outside but juicy and tender on the inside. And the Napoli sauce? It was superb combined with the ham and cheese. My opinion is that the sauce is important in completing the whole taste of this dish. Some Chicken Parma's I found lacking is usually in the sauce whereby it wasn't tasty enough or at times, just tasted like plain tomato sauce.

Suffice to say, Mr. C savoured every bite of his meal as he had his occasional gulps of Carlton Draught. Free beer is always welcome news to the men even if it's just a pot. Mind you, when I say pot, I don't mean a teapot size ya. For beers, there's a jug, a pint, a pot then a schooner when it comes to ordering the size you wish to consume it in. Of course, not forgetting.. a bottle, too! ;)

See, I learn a fair bit in this land of punching kangaroos and sleepy stoned koalas. LOL.

 

 

Shortly after Mr. C's Chicken Parma arrived, my Chicken and Mushroom Risotto promptly followed. And for AUD10, the amount was generous and taste was NOT compromised! If you know me, you'd know that I can eat a lot for a girl and especially if it comes to something I like to eat! Risotto seems to be my favourite, of late.

And mind you, this is definitely one yum risotto! The one I had at McCluskey's was different in the sense that it was Moroccan Chicken risotto where else this one was chicken and mushroom. Both is simply delicious in their own ways. However, this one trumps it as it costs only AUD10 on a Friday night, that is and comes with a free drink! For my first free drink, I chose coke since I wasn't feeling up to any alcoholic drinks plus they were not serving any coffee.

 

All in all, we enjoyed our dinner immensely. How could we not? The food was superb accompanied with the reasonable price tag. A deep, sexy, manly voiced crooning live on stage as we feast. He was pretty good and receiving many rounds of applause from his small audience. I would have enjoyed it more if he had played some familiar and popular songs.

I think we usually enjoy a concert, a live band playing especially when we know the songs.

 

 

Matthew Flinders
667 Warrigal Road,
Chadstone 3148

We left with our tummies happily filled, definitely more than contented. And to be greeted by beautifully cooling weather with bright skies even at 8 something in the evening, it was a great way to start the weekend! 

We will definitely come back to Tom Thumb another time. And with friends and family coming to visit, it'll be a great place to bring them for good food with affordable price (even after conversion)! 

Note on 9/3/12 : We have been raving to friends (Mr. C's colleagues) about this eatery and  it seems, they are keen to try out this place though I must say that the reviews via Urbanspoon weren't exactly flattering. 

Perhaps, Mr. C and I had a good night. We'll try it another time and see if the good experience is repeated. ;)