Butlers at Robe Haven Motel

Profiled by de Groots Media
Sandy and Phyllis Thomson manage the accommodation and kitchen respectively at the Robe Haven Motel, which is also home to Butlers Restaurant. It is located across from the marina where fishermen weigh-in their catches of still-snapping southern rock lobster. Sadly, none of these coveted crustaceans find their way into the motel’s kitchen as Phyllis is mindful about aligning menu prices with the well-priced accommodation. She is also strict about fresh produce staying on the premises for just one day – thankfully, this rule doesn’t apply to motel guests. Butlers Restaurant achieves the Thomson’s goal to deliver value for money meals of regional food with personable service. The decor is seriously ‘70s with vinyl upholstered wooden chairs which sit on what can only be described as “busy” carpet. It is unintentionally retro and that is part of Butlers’ charm.

Lobster lovers can drown their disappointment in a lagoon of luxurious garlic sauce in which a dozen prawns swim. Oven-baked, locally caught snapper pleases with its velvety blanket of cream, lemon and pepper while beer battered whiting comes with chunky home-style chips. Saltbush lamb rack rests on comforting mash with a port and rosemary jus. It’s a good idea to have some herb bread on hand to mop up the chef’s indulgent saucing. You might be tempted to lap it off the plate with your tongue but that would set a bad example for the kids or take the allure out of an evening with someone special. Locals come in droves for the 450 grams of succulent rump steak sourced from Naracoorte Meats. When it comes to sweets, order the classic dessert of port-marinated strawberries Romanoff with the excuse of it being a palate cleanser.

Roz Taylor