Named the best country pub in NSW

A local hotel has been judged the Best Country Pub in NSW by the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Food Pub Guide 2013.

In a presentation made by the Minister of Liquor and Gaming Mr George Souris at an awards night in Sydney on Tuesday, December 11, the judges described the Patonga Beach Hotel as ticking all the boxes.

Judging criteria included the quality of food and presentation, service and atmosphere.

The review citation read: "Eating seafood flavoured with fine sauce on the patio at Patonga Beach Hotel, with an excellent view of boats and fishing tackle on a sandy beach and yachts anchored beyond in Brisk Bay, is a totally memorable experience."

Last year it was judged the best view in NSW which followed similar recognition by the Daily Telegraph in its 10 of the Best Hotel Views in NSW reviews.

It was also given the highest food rating of "three schooners", ranking it as one of the top 11 hotels in NSW and the best on the Central Coast.

"Good food is not the only treat in this hotel's beer garden," said the citation.

"Dining here comes with a view of Brisk Bay, with million-dollar yachts and fishing boats lying in calm water.

"Patonga Beach is the fisherman and yachtsman's paradise, and food lovers like being here.

"They arrive for dinner by car, ferry, water taxi, and two people even flew in on hang-gliders from Pearl Beach.

"Patonga oysters, a two-tiered seafood platter for two, or Atlantic salmon on a bed of creamy spring onion and egg potatoes, snowpeas, baby capers and lemon bleurre blanc, are most popular, as is garlic crumbed pork cutlets on leek mash."

Publican Mr Robert Osborne said he was surprised and delighted about winning such a prestigious Award and the recognition of many years of hard work.

"We set out to achieve building an iconic hotel at Patonga and since its creation just five years ago I believe we have established something that we can be very proud of and clearly the number of tourists and judges agree.

"It's amazing to consider we are up there with the best hotels in Sydney in one sense but we are gifted by the natural beauty of Patonga.

"The views and ambience at Patonga are arguably the best anywhere," said Mr Osborne.

Media Release, 12 Dec 2012

Robert Osborne, Patonga Beach Hotel