The Kent Hotel

What a pleasure it is to walk into an old local pub that has adapted to modern times. The Kent Hotel is a Carlton tradition and still has a local feel. But it has also been gracefully modernised with big, comfortable spaces, high ceilings, polished hardwood floors and solid furniture. The dining area more or less floats through the whole pub, with service provided by cheerful, efficient staff. There's a detailed blackboard as well as a full menu. Try the entree tasting platter for two, a generous dish crammed with a selection of tasters like five-spice duck shanks and beer-battered fish pieces. Quality seafood features in several dishes, notably the linguine tossed with Portarlington mussels and blue swimmer crab (plus fish, calamari and prawns). There's a selection of steak cuts, and pizzas and pastas - a forte, though not house-made. The noise level is lively, especially when the several large tables are full of happy diners. This is a warm, modern pub with top-notch food.