The Erko located in Sydney’s Erskineville has welcomed former Chiswick talent Ethan Robinson as head chef of the much-loved pub.
Robinson will be launching a new menu on 12 October taking a focus on pub classics paired with seasonal flair.
Across the menu, Robinson will be utilising local producers for proteins and produce from the nearby Erko Road Community Garden.
“We have a little patch at the Erko Road Community Garden next door where we’ll grow our herbs, chillies, cherry tomatoes, garlic chives, carrots, and Jerusalem artichokes,” says Robinson.
“We love our local community and so we’ll be using local honey and have locally made hot sauces too.”
Robinson and his team will also be making as many elements as possible off their menu in-house, including bread, chips, and pickled goods.
Guests can expect Robinson’s menu to star familiar pub favourites such as a 250g grass-fed striploin steak, a beef burger, and a chicken thigh schnitzel crumbed in-house with herbs from the Erko Road Community Garden.
Robinson is also drawing inspiration from his time spent at Chiswick, serving up a pressed lamb shoulder dish with lentils, lamb jus, and a green pea and mint pesto.
Other highlights across the menu include grilled baby octopus with chickpeas, daily market-caught fish specials, and The Pav which will utilise surplus and blemished fruit from the market.
The Erko will also be serving up a roast option and $55 feed me menu on Sundays.
Solotel has been running The Erko since 2014 and CEO Elliot Solomon says Robinson’s menu will cater for an array of occasions.
“This new menu plus a venue refresh that includes more dining tables and brightening up the front bar area is done with the local community in mind,” says Solomon.
“It’s approachable and suited to all pub occasions, whether you’re on a night out with friends or in for lunch with the family.”
The Erko’s new menu by Ethan Robinson launches on 12 October.