Potters Hotel & Brewery

The outdoor setting is genuinely nice, and the location could work well for families with kids. Inside, though, it smelled strongly of puke, which was hard to ignore. On a Monday night we waited an hour and a half for five mains, despite being told to expect about an hour. While we waited by the pass, I saw several dishes go to tables that arrived after us. Another diner warned me that they'd forgotten her order and said I should make sure they checked ours. She was right: they hadn't started ours until an hour and 15 minutes after we ordered, even as steaks and salmon were being served to other tables. When the food finally came, the steak was dry, the salmon badly overcooked, and the chips were terrible. I tried to treat it as one bad night, but the long wait, forgotten order, and poor food all point to a poorly managed kitchen. I won't return or recommend it. Maccas would've been the better choice.

We couldn't eat in because we were short on time, so the chef packed our meals with real care. After a long walk in the cold breeze, that hot food was just what we needed. The meal was delicious, and I really appreciated how thoughtfully it was packed. The Potters Hotel restaurant is another reason I love the Hunter Valley. The setting brought back strong memories of visiting as a teenager with my Aunty&Uncle, and the scene felt just like the romance I imagined in Mills&Boon books. My new developer, Ms Jay, was right to introduce me to the restaurant. The food and service were wonderful.

Keith was amazing at explaining the different beers, how they differ, and how they're brewed. The tasting costs $39 per person for 8 beers, which is quite a lot, though the beers were refreshing. I ordered the chicken breast sandwich from the food menu. It could've had more flavour, but the fries were nice and crispy. If you're after something different to do, give the tasting a go.

The antipasto platter is worth recommending. I've been here several times over the years and have never had a reason to complain about either the food or the service.