Chicken wings with spicy sriracha. Photo: Wendy Johnson

The fresh side-salad. Photo: Wendy Johnson

Mussels and chorizo. Photo: Wendy Johnson

Baked brie served with slices of toasted sourdough. Photo: Wendy Johnson

Salmon from the specials section. Photo: Wendy Johnson

“I’ve said it before in reviews… restaurants and cafes are like people. They sometimes just have bad days,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON after a lunch in Manuka.

Dining can be a planned affair or an impromptu occasion. On a sunny day, three of us were in Manuka and decided, on the spur of the moment, to have lunch at Public.

Situated on the prime corner of Flinders Way and Franklin Street, Public has been around for yonks in a hugely competitive hospitality market. Not only is this modern pub in a prime position, but owners have invested in mature plants in mega pots offering a pleasing visual effect and shade.

It was far from our first time at Public, and we believe it’s nice to support cafes and restaurants that have been around for a while, not just the different and exciting newbies.

Lunch got off to a good start with chicken wings with spicy sriracha (a true flavour bomb). They were piping hot, and we dipped the generous-sized and super moist wings into a creamy, punchy blue cheese sauce (gluten-free dish, $18). Wings can be a tad messy to eat at times, but I believe that’s part of the fun.

We worship baked brie and Public’s is served with slices of toasted sourdough. I didn’t think it was baked long enough, however, and was too firm around the edges and not at all gooey in the middle ($16). The taste was great, and the herbs sprinkled on top were a nice addition, but more time in the oven would have made for a perfect starter to share.

We also worship mussels, but these swam in a very oily sauce, a bit unattractive visually and it did impact on the taste. It was challenging to share them since no serving spoon was provided. Several were left lonely on the plate although we did gobble up the chunks of chorizo.

The salmon from the specials section of the menu was, sadly, overcooked and lacking in moisture. We didn’t finish it, but openly enjoyed the fresh, leaf side salad.

The pizza line-up at Public starts with a simple garlic ($18) and includes a chorizo and jalapenos variety that looked dynamite to my taste buds ($27).

The service was far from attentive. Indeed, we sat outside for so long surrounded by dirty plates and unfinished food, that we finally moved to a clean table to finish our wine in comfort. We weren’t sure what the problem was since Public wasn’t pumping at the tail end of lunch service, and ample staff were hanging about.

I’ve said it before in reviews… restaurants and cafes are like people. They sometimes just have bad days.

We’ve never been to The Upstairs Bar that now operates. It’s always had a function on or a chef not in or was closed. Perhaps one day… for a special Public cocktail.