Restaurant: Hotel Elliot
The Strand
Port Elliott
http://www.hotelelliot.com.au/hotel_elliot_bistro.html
One of two pubs in Port Elliot, the Hotel Elliot stands out as a great place to meet up with friends. The decor is sleek yet comfortable with large open doors opening to an outside courtyard. A great spot for a cold Coopers in the summer.
We arrived just before six, and despite being early. The waiter was happy to take our order and get it into the kitchen. The place was already relatively busy, with the after work knock-off drinks crowd. The laughing and the constant steam of arrivals made for a great atmosphere.

The wine list was very generous with the local wines, with an excellent selection by the glass. I did find it a bit pricey for a pub however, with the Nepenthe Sauv Blanc selling at $9.50 a glass. A good selection of reds could have been complemented by an addition of a McLaren Vale Shiraz by the glass.
The menu had an excellent seafood range and some vegetarian options. Main courses were varied with steak, duck, chicken, lamb and kangaroo all making an appearance.
Specials adorn an outside blackboard with very reasonable prices almost every day of the week. Although we were there the night WITHOUT the specials, the Steak night apparetely is a local favourite

My daughter ordered the salt and pepper squid. The batter was light, and not oily. The squid was very tender... not rubbery at all. At $12.90, a very reasonably priced meal. The soy and sesame dipping sauce was a fantastic condiment!I ordered Wood Smoked Barossa Pork Kassler Chop. ($19.90) It was served on braised red cabbage, rhine potatoes, gravy ad apple chutney. It was absolutely FANTASTIC. The apple chutney was spicey and sweet and the red cabbage gave just the right combination of flavours. Accompanied by a cold Pale Ale, a dish I would highly recommend.

All and all I was very pleased with the service and food at the pub. We were in a rush to pick up my son fom soccer, and the friendly (and very good-looking I might add) bartender made sure the meals were out quickly and there was no compromise on taste or presentation.