Images supplied
We all know a great regional pub, where the plates and drinks arrive quickly, while dogs wander beneath the tables as children run between trees that wrap around old stone venues.
Australia’s best regional gastropub captures those simple pleasures while adding a level of polish that is not found just anywhere.
In the Adelaide Hills, one venue has now been officially recognised for doing exactly that.
Perched at Norton Summit, The Scenic Hotel combines sweeping city views with seasonal food, a strong drinks offering and the relaxed atmosphere of a country pub, despite only being a short drive from Adelaide.
Describing itself as one of the city’s closest regional pubs, the venue has been named Best Regional Gastropub at the inaugural Top 50 Gastropubs Awards, while also placing eighth in the overall national ranking.
Hosted by Australian Hotelier and Hospitality, the inaugural awards ‘recognise the venues setting the gastropub standard of excellence across the country.’
Since taking over the pub from the previous owners in October last year, Rob Denisoff, Angus Love and Koen Alfonds Janssen have been working on promoting the great location.
“The award is a great feeling for us,” Rob said. “We’re trying to push the idea that it is Adelaide’s closest regional pub.
“Every single person in that place over the past six months, as well as the other guys over the past five years, has laid a really good foundation for us to build on.”
The Adelaide Hills provides much of the inspiration behind the pub’s look, atmosphere food and drinks.
“The location certainly does a lot of the heavy lifting and it comes with its fair share of maintenance but it’s our job to bring that setting to life through food, drinks, experiences and moments that people remember.”
The name Scenic offers a clear indication of what visitors can expect from the 160-year-old building. Surrounded by greenery and sweeping views, the pub may be close but it feels much further away.
“We’re on the doorstep of Basket Range, Lenswood, Carey Gully and Piccadilly,” Rob said.
“So we’re a bit of a gateway to the wine community up there,” Rob said.
That position has allowed the hotel to act as an unofficial cellar door for smaller local wineries that may not have their own facilities, providing another place for them to showcase their wines and connect with visitors.
“Other pubs have great wines, but we really hone in on the community, and it feels that way when you walk into the pub,” Rob said.
“We don’t try to compete by being the biggest or the flashiest.
“We focus on consistency, genuine hospitality, (and) creativity.”
The same regional focus carries through to the food. Alongside well-executed pub classics, the menu features a rotating selection of snacks, small plates and seasonal specials, allowing the kitchen team to respond to local produce and the changing character of the Hills throughout the year.
One of the menu’s more personal dishes is Angus Love’s chicken parfait, made from an old family recipe and served with port wine chutney and charred focaccia.
“The pub classics menu does its thing, but the specials menu is where the creativity really lies.”
The plan for the Scenic Hotel from here is to keep positioning themsleves as a great, consistent pub and Rob says there’s still lots to be done.
“Winning Best Regional Pub is something we’re incredibly grateful for, but we also see it as motivation,” he said.
“Our goal hasn’t changed.
“We’re going to keep working hard every day to make The Scenic Hotel Adelaide’s closest regional pub, and ultimately, Australia’s best regional pub.”
To see the full list and know more about the awards, click here.
The Scenic Hotel
Where: 505 Old Norton Summit Road, Norton Summit
For more, click here.
