It's named after a couple of grumpy old men from The Muppet Show, but the only way you'd get this pair into a gastro pub is put their picture on the wall - so they did.
Statler & Waldorf calls itself a gastronomy pub and it wears this title well. The menu covers plenty of pub classics with modern interpretations and runs with seasonal produce. Much is made in house, including the bread and pasta and the honey comes from hives on the roof.
There are tables on the street and a dining room and bar inside but it doesn't end there. Head down the back and you'll eventually find a beer garden at the back.
This is the sort of place where there's little pretension, what you see is what you get, but its also got the stamp of authenticity. The sausages come from Billy, the local butcher, the barra is Cone Bay and the goat is Milly Hill.
We settled on the goat ragu, a tender, flavoursome and ample serving surrounded by Israeli couscous dotted with spiced rum raisins and smoked almonds.
K2 worked his way through a spiced chickpea burger with roast cashew and parmesan butter, roasted peppers, labna and chips. I stole a few chips when he wasn't looking and they were excellent.
Dessert was two simple choices - sticky date pudding or lemon meringue pie, both top comfort food. The pie won and arrived with fresh tips of warm toasted meringue over a tart lemon curd and crisp pastry.
Statler & Waldorf
Ed+bK rating: 3.9/5 simple food well made with authentic ingredients.
Best tip: Head down for Sunday roast and you'll be dining on duck fat potatoes, roast veg and yorkshire pud for $15.
Bottom line: Snacks/share plates $8 to $22, mains $18 to $30, sides $8 to $10.
Disclaimer: Ed+bK paid for her meal.
