Overview
There are few better spots to kick back with a cold one in the Northern Rivers than at Hotel Brunswick. Yet this easygoing riverside spot is getting a rev up this summer through a special collaboration with farm-to-table connoisseurs, Three Blue Ducks. Known for championing sustainability and ethically sourced ingredients, chefs Darren Robertson and Andy Allen have crafted a sharp menu that champions this responsible ethos without sacrificing the inviting spirit of a down-to-earth Aussie pub.
Featuring ingredients gathered from across the Northern Rivers region, The Ducks at Hotel Brunswick presents a menu loaded with clever twists on pub classics and Cali-inspired bites that pair perfectly with summer's boundless sunshine. Whether you usually opt for a parmy, fish and chips, pizza or a stacked burger, Robertson and Allen have searched high and low for the best local producers to give these choice classics a paddock-to-plate lift. Plus, the Rainbow Region's fishing and surfing communities serve as inspiration for a selection of carefully considered seafood dishes.
"Think Australian bay lobster rolls; pickled octopus; prawn toast with nam jim; old school prawns with Marie Rose sauce; Travla beer-battered fish and chips; chilli chicken wings; and even fried apple pie for something sweet. There's also a brand new pizza oven going in so we're going to be serving epic pizzas, flatbreads and of course there'll be a couple of cheeky salads too," says Robertson.
While Hotel Brunswick's sunny beer garden makes a crisp lager or draught almost irresistible, a refreshed wine list might prove even more tempting. Across 30 hand-picked wines highlighting Australian winemakers and regions, the team behind Three Blue Ducks has placed a notable spotlight on local favourite, Jilly Wines. If cocktails are more your vibe, there are three styles of margaritas to indulge in alongside time-tested classics like mojitos, lychee martinis, amaretto sours and Japanese slippers.
"We see The Bruns as one of the most iconic pubs out there and we're super pumped to bring our food to the venue," says Allen. "Personally, I can't wait to sit back in the beer garden, listen to some live music and sample what we've done."
This is just the latest collab for Three Blue Ducks, who have seen their approach to sustainability, ethical produce and waste reduction grow from humble beginnings in Bronte to venues in Byron Bay, Rosebery, Nimbo, Melbourne and Bellingen. Head along to Hotel Brunswick to experience the fusion of a much-loved coastal pub with a forward-thinking culinary mindset.
Images: Kitti Gould
The Ducks at Hotel Brunswick is happening now. Head to the website for more information.