Eltham Hotel

Bookings are advised at this popular village pub,especially on Thursday trivia nights. The menu sources locally where possible and the philosophy is'real,good food',enjoyed either outside under cover or in the small,snug dining room. Spanner crab linguine marries lemon and chilli-sharp crustacean chunks with crunchy breadcrumbs and rocket;salt-and-pepper Ballina calamari could have more punch alongside its green papaya salad;mussels with green chilli nam jim topple out of a fragrant,spicy broth with rice. The crowd is smart,the kids'menu appealing and an excellent wine list includes offerings from Chile,Argentina and France.