Crescent Hotel

100 Burnett Street, North Hobart

On a cold, wet night after work, the last thing we felt like doing was navigating half of the mainland who had turned up for the to eat and a good craft beer to wash it down with. We’d heard the grub at the Crescent Hotel was quality and that’s exactly where we went.  The traditional pub was warm and homely, and the friendly faces showing us to our table cemented that we’d made the right choice in ditching the mayhem on the waterfront. We ordered an eclectic mix of chilli salt pork scratchings, cheddar donuts, mashed potato. A highlight was the pork scratchings which shattered with an epic crack before melting into bliss. The donuts were moorish and the steak was cooked to perfection with just the right amount of charred crust. Delish! The star was the silky, garlicky mash up with an apple and plum pie for dessert which rounded off our tasty meal. There was so much more on the menu we wanted to order, but we will leave that for next time. It gives us a great excuse to go back.

Du Cane Brewing

60-64 Elizabeth Street, Launceston

On a recent road trip we found ourselves in Launceston around lunchtime. Having heard about the city’s latest brewing offering now being open, we lobbed up to Du Cane Brewing to give it a try. On a drizzly Sunday afternoon the absolutely huge ex-warehouse and walker registration building was packed. The order underway as the kids made a run for the play area. The theme here is adventure and parents will gravitate toward the tables surrounding the climbing wall (yes, a proper climbing wall, with a stack of beanbags to catch the falls).

Others, steer clear, this area is hectic! But the kids love it and burn off some pent up energy from our car trip while us adults try a couple of brews (by Launnie local head brewer Will Horan) and wait for our pizza. The food arrives quickly and we enjoy the chewy, perfectly burnt crusts and simple toppings, with a side of hand cut this being the perfect trip stop.