- Di von Essen
Conquer Your Hunger, Quench Your Thirst
To the average person, a large paddock in a rural area just on the fringe of Hunter Valley Wine Country would be – at best – lovely to look at. Or perhaps a good camping spot. Not for experienced pub operator Jason Gavin though. To Jason, it was – in one word – opportunity.
"A friend showed me the site, and I liked what I saw. When I heard that Coles was moving into the growing township, it didn't take much more to make me decide to buy the land," said Jason.
Fast forward five years, and that paddock has been transformed into a destination pub at the gateway to Hunter Valley Wine Country, close to several growing regional towns and with the new 7,500-home Huntlee township on its doorstep. It's that centrality, in addition, to the bustling city of Newcastle, that has seen Huntlee Tavern become somewhat of a 'hub-pub' – the Hub of the Hunter to surrounding regional towns too.
The venue's modern design has captured the elegance of the Hunter Valley in a unique, picturesque location adjacent to the vineyards. Built with recycled materials and boasting a breathtaking panoramic view, the open plan can cater for any occasion.
The highly dedicated chefs provide delicious cuisine from locally sourced fresh produce, catering to all dietary requirements.
One look at the menu screams "gastropub on steroids", with the world-famous Huntlee Sticky BBQ Pork Ribs front and centre for diners. Not only delicious (think tender ribs cooked to perfection), weighing in at 1kg, it's also guaranteed to conquer your hunger (especially when washed down with one of the 14 beers on tap!)
Other favourites guaranteed to tempt your tastebuds include the Huntlee Burger, Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breast, and my personal fave – the Black Steamed Mussels (and yes – there's a kilo of those too!)
Fast becoming known as the hub for live entertainment (this month you can catch Reece Mastin on 19 August and the fabulous Thirsty Merc on 4 September); visit www.huntleetavern.com.au to sign up for news of upcoming events (and, of course, book!).
