We've enjoyed the Beaufort's succession of burger-like veg meals over the past year-and-a-bit, especially the scorching Philly Cheese Fake and gone-too-soon battered tofu. Michael caught wind of their new kitchen venture and we made sure to give it a shot within the week. While the pub is still full of salty hipster bluebeard-alikes, the pool room's had a rack shack renovation.
This means ribs. Pork ribs, beef ribs, lamb ribs and... no kidding, vegan ribs! A half rack will set you back $15, but Michael insisted we share the full rack ($28) for full review. As you can see, it's quite the spectacle, and it's not even seitan. It's made of quinoa and corn, though it's no hippy-dippy patty. A thick crust and smoky paprika basting really bring the barbecue, and the rib 'bones' are softer-hearted vegan cheese sticks.
The ribs come accompanied by a pleasant medley of pickled vegetables and slabs of crumbling warm jalapeno cornbread.
Our side salad managed to hold its own against this showstopper - a creamy, nubby, lightly pomegranate-dressed bowl of lentils, avocado and pecans ($9). I could take or leave the slug of truffle oil.
This rack o' ribs is a novel and tasty contribution to Melbourne's mock meat market, and goes a little way to filling the Gasometer-shaped hole in our hearts and stomachs.
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You can read about our first visit to the Beaufort here.
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The Beaufort
421 Rathdowne St, Carlton
9347 8171
Accessibility: The Beaufort has a single step on entry and notably spacious table arrangement - mostly at standard height and with few tables at tall bar height. The rack shack is a little more crowded and includes an additional step up. The lighting's dim and the music is loud. Ordering and payment happens at a high bar, though food is brought to the table. We didn't visit the toilets.
You do realise Gasometer has opened again?
ReplyDeleteNot only do we realise it, we've already blogged it: http://herestheveg.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-gasometer-hotel.html. Sadly, the new owners have steered away from the mock Americana that we loved so much.
DeleteSometimes I feel like all I need in the world is ready access to cornbread.
ReplyDeleteSweet and savoury and carby and filling - you might be onto something there, Hannah.
DeleteIs it really called rack o' ribs? That might be the make or break when it comes to me deciding whether or not to try them, ha ha...
ReplyDeleteveganpolous - it's vegan ribs from a rack shack so close enough, right?
DeleteMy god, that looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteHi Eat to Live! I was really quite impressed - hopefully it'll live up to your expectations.
DeleteHoly crap! That is something! I will have to take the boy there for this!
ReplyDeleteWe went to the Beaufort a couple of weeks back for the first time, and tried the vegan philly cheese fake - I thought it was okay but lacked a little texture - needed some chewy mock meat or something (it was full of capsicum in a cheesy sauce). Looks like they have sure made up for the lack of mock meat here though! Ha!
Hey littleveganbear - I've burned my mouth terribly on those tasty Philly cheese fakes more than once. The mushrooms worked for me!
DeleteHopefully you'll like these even ribs more.
Wow those vegan ribs certainly catch the eye - you definitely couldn't tell at first glance that they're not 'meat' ribs.
ReplyDelete