The Deck at Box Hill RSL

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One of the beauties of WeekendNotes is learning about all the tucked away gems in other people's suburbs.



Yet, even when you live in an area, you can totally miss the beat. Such was the case with the Deck at the Box Hill RSL, with its relaxing views over the lush foliage of Box Hill Gardens .



When I say RSL some people cringe, because such places have a bit of a reputation for being a bit old blokey with holey carpets.

Not the Box Hill RSL which is a light, airy, architect-designed space with wall to ceiling windows, clean lines and the flashiest carpet around.

They have a popular bistro which I have written about previously here , where seniors can choose from a variety of 2-course meals for $12.50, or 3-course meals for $14.50. While us regulars can have a great meal at a reasonable price. Plus because Box Hill was once a dry area, the RSL is the closest thing to a pub in the area.

But the deck must be relatively new, as I only just discovered it tonight. You can see a 360 degrees view of it here. Great, hey?

It has a lot of relaxing cane looking furniture and views as far away as the Great Dividing Range. There is also a shuttered roof for inclement weather, and overhead heaters if required. So it will be a space for winter, as well as hot balmy summer nights.

With $5 pizzas and $12 jugs of Boags every Friday night it is a great place to relax with friends or workmates at the end of the working week.



Okay, so these pizzas aren't as good as those at Bimbos in Fitzroy or as cheap, but the views and the outdoor ambience are well worth the extra dollar you pay.



Selections included:



When I asked the guy for one with olives he said "But what is it called?" Unfortunately I then had to ask him for a Virgin. Though I must say he didn't bat an eyelid.

There is a chef on hand doing the cooking outside in a pizza oven which is kind of cute and he brings your pizza straight to your table.

The crusts were sensational. Toppings a bit ho-hum.



The Box Hill RSL also has lots of interesting displays of war related paraphernalia, which is worth having a look at.





But I'll tell you something amusing. I was downstairs just as they were doing the minute's silence for the Last Post. Everyone stood up ramrod straight and I was caught mid-step with my glass of champagne in mid slosh. The Last Post was followed by the "Ode" which is the fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon's poem "For the Fallen" - "we shall remember them" and so on.

Then suddenly there was a kaching, kaching from the gaming room as someone hit the jackpot and coins ricocheted onto metal. The noise rang through the silence like rapid fire. Pity the RSLs have come to this, even if it does mean cheap pizza and $12 jugs of Boags.

But thankfully the deck is in the heavens and you are a long way from being ambushed by a one-armed bandit.

#box_hill
#disabled_access
#food_wine
#frugal_friday
#pizza_restaurants
%wnmelbourne