LOCATION
On Glenmore Road, Paddington, close to Oxford Street.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
On a street corner in Paddington, up the stairs from a jovial bar full of jolly larrikins and pints of Guinness, an Irish chef is dishing up traditional European fare with an Aussie influence. The mauve-blue walls are heavy with Irish prints; the polished wooden floorboards reflect the gleam of the chandeliers above. Take a seat inside or pull up a chair on the balcony where you can take in the Paddington breeze. This cheese wedge of a building has a history dating back to 1854 when it catered for the Victoria Barracks crowd; its interior has since undergone many refurbishments, with The Print Room restaurant opening in 2003. Enjoy a drink downstairs at Durty Nelly’s, a boutique Irish pub with a lively personality and spirited sense of fun, then retreat upstairs to this family-run sanctuary of belly-warming comfort food.
Head chef Darren Pearson manipulates fresh Australian produce into classic Irish and European cuisine, offering an a la carte, set and children’s menu. The menu is tweaked twice a season, but the quintessential braised beef and Guinness pie is a mainstay – much to the satisfaction of its many devotees. Begin with the mille feuille of scallops, cauliflower puree and crispy Parma ham for a layered indulgence, followed by the chargrilled loin of pork, apple, raisin and thyme crumble with boulangere potato. If, miraculously, there’s still some space left in the belly, fill it with the sweet and warming rhubarb, ginger and almond crumble swimming in vanilla creme anglaise. The perfect place for a relaxing meal with the family, The Print Room also caters for the rugby mob, offering early dinners and a big screen TV on game nights. The mirror image of an Irish Georgian-era print room, this restaurant brings a bit of Irish hospitality to the heart of Paddington.
Lauren Barker, September 2008
DETAILS
Turn the corner into Glenmore Road from Oxford Street and the prominence of Durty Nelly's facade will take you back to an era long gone. Starting life in 1854 as the Rose & Crown to cater for trade from the recently opened Victoria Barracks, the hotel was reconstructed around 1887, representing a type of substantial hotel characteristic of the heyday of development in this part of Paddington. As a relatively intact example of this development, the hotel has local historic significance to this day.
Durty Nelly's Bar, with its original pressed metal ceiling, has been maintained as a traditional Irish local whilst the restaurant on the first floor is representative of a print room from the Irish Georgian era.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Located on the 1st floor, The Print Room Restaurant with a traditional selection of elegant design features, offers patrons a unique balance of style and homeliness. Featuring split level dining, spilling out on to an adjoining balcony, this unique room fills with sunlight during the day and is softly lit at night.
FUNCTIONS
Situated in the heart of Paddington, 10 minutes from the CBD, Aussie Stadium and the SGC, Durty Nelly's is ideally located to meet for a drink or dine before or after the football action. Alternatively, you can pack down in the Print Room to a footy dinner with live coverage on the big screen of all the major sporting action. Durty Nelly's consists of two function areas that are ideal for all private and corporate entertainment: birthdays, engagements, weddings, work Christmas parties, product launches and team functions. The Parlour is symbolic of a true Irish local; this room is cosy and intimate and has its own private bar, fireplace and shared amenities with the adjoining public bar. It is ideal for small farewells or club gatherings of up to 30 people.
The Print Room
Is available for exclusive hire, catering for seated functions of up to 80 guests or cocktail functions with drinks and canapes for 100 guests. There is no room-hire fee, however a minimum spend does apply for exclusive hire.
The restaurant also caters for annual events including St. Patrick's Day and Melbourne Cup, catering for tables of two to 20 guests.
Services include professional waiting staff, food and beverage packages, audio visual and data projector equipment.
Personal Statement
Special offersCelebrate at Durty Nelly's. *Book a table of 8 in the Print Room and receive $40 off your total bill.
PAs, book your next work function with us and receive a $100 Print Room voucher. Minimum spend of $1000 required to receive this offer. For further information call 9360 4467.
