Temperance Hotel

LOCATION
Five kilometres from the CBD, in the thick of the action on Chapel Street.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
There’s a shiny new face on Chapel Street in the shape of the recently refurbished Temperance Hotel. It may seem odd to have the words temperance and hotel in the same sentence, but there is a smart, successful vibe at work here which makes it an environment conducive to sophisticated enjoyment. The fit-out is slick and modern, although touches such as the clever use of colour, texture and lighting, the dark varnished floorboards, and drinking spots that open to the street make this a cool and pleasant spot to spend an afternoon or evening. The menu’s modern Australian slant sees entree options such as cannellini bean, leek and olive ravioli with roast cumin and tomato sauce, rare Thai beef salad with soba noodles and nam jim dressing, and tempura soft shell crabs with soy ginger dipping sauce.

Mains involve pub standards such as the beef burger with onion chilli jam or flathead tails with chips, as well as tomato-crusted barramundi fillet with spiced lentils or roasted free-range chicken with green beans, sweet potato and a rosemary lemon jus. There’s always a few decent specials listed and pizzas are available all day and include prosciutto and tomato with rocket and parmesan, or cherry tomato, broccoli and red onion with olive, fetta and pesto. The atmosphere is friendly and strikes a good balance between a glossy Chapel Street destination and a relaxed, local hotel, where you can choose to come for a quiet drink or meal, or to make a night of it.

Angela Costanzo