Pee Wee’s Australia’s best fine dining restaurant

It is the second time in three years Pee Wee’s has won the most prestigious award on the culinary calendar, receiving the highest overall score from the Gold Plate judges. It was also voted Best Stand Alone Restaurant.

More than 380 restaurateurs, hospitality staff and an assortment of local dignatories attended the awards held at Skycity Darwin.

Located inside the East Point Nature Reserve, Pee Wee’s boasts its menu aims to reflect the produce, climate and multiculturalism of the Northern Territory. It sources local produce, specialising in NT wild caught Saltwater Barramundi, banana prawns, Lambells Lagoon buffalo cheese, tropical fruits and locally grown Asian vegetables.

The chief executive officer of AHA (NT), Des Crowe, said the Gold Plate achievements highlight the great diversity of dining experiences awaiting Territorians and visitors alike.

“Finalists and winners continue to make significant contributions to the hospitality industry and its growing reputation for great food, service and wine,” he said.

Mr Crowe said it was an industry positive to see locally trained apprentices winning Gold Plate Awards, as well as Karen Sheldon Catering’s focus on indigenous training and employment recognised. It is the third consecutive year Karen Sheldon Catering (Best Function/Event Caterer) has won the Excellence in Catering Award.

“Our industry continues to rely heavily on overseas workers to fill ongoing skill and staff

shortages, with this cohort of staff also contributing greatly to the growth and diversity of the NT’s hospitality industry,” Mr Crowe said.

Other highlights of the 2015 AHA (NT) ALM Gold Plate Awards included newcomer on the scene, Fork n Dagger at Rydges Palmerston, opened last month winning the ‘Best New Establishment’ category.

The Rum Jungle Tavern took out the Awards for Best Public Hotel Dining and the Best

Causal Dining.

Popular tourist destination, Devils Marbles Hotel won the Best Wayside Inn Dining Award while Ayers Rock Resort’s exclusive restaurant in the desert, Tali Wari, took out the Award for Best Tourism Themed Restaurant.

Last year’s Gold Plate Restaurant of the Year, Ciacda Lodge won Best Hotel Restaurant and

Best Fine Dining Awards;

Past Gold Plate winners Hanuman Restaurant Darwin and Char Restaurant @ Admiralty

Darwin continued to shine winning in their respective award categories.

Venues that enter the Gold Plate Awards are anonymously assessed by independent judges.

The quality of food receives the most attention by the judges; however the whole dining experience is evaluated, including ambience, service and the presentation of the premise and staff.

2015 AHA (NT) ALM GOLD PLATE WINNERS LIST

Best Club Restaurant — Waterfront Bistro, Darwin Sailing Club

Best Public Hotel Dining — Rum Jungle Tavern

Best Casual Dining — Rum Jungle Tavern

Best Informal Dining — The Pearl Darwin

Best Family Restaurant — Q Bar & Brasserie on the Avenue

Best Wayside Inn Dining — Devils Marble Hotel

Best Asian Restaurant — Hanuman Restaurant Darwin

Best Specialty Cuisine Restaurant — Yots Greek Taverna

Best Hotel Restaurant — Cicada Lodge

Best Steak Restaurant — Char Restaurant ‘Admiralty House’ Darwin

Best Tourism Themed Restaurant — Tali Wiru, Ayers Rock Resort

Best Function/Event Caterer — Karen Sheldon Catering

Best Select Wine List — Moorish Café

Best Extensive Wine List — Char Restaurant ‘Admiralty House’ Darwin

Best Fine Dining Restaurant — Cicada Lodge

Best New Establishment — The Fork n Dagger, Rydges Palmerston

Best Stand Alone Restaurant — Pee Wee’s at the Point

Minster for Business Encouragement Award — Alice Springs Golf Club

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR — Pee Wee’s at the Point

Source: NT News, Ashley Manicaros, 13^th October 2015
Originally published as: Pee Wee’s Australia’s best fine dining restaurant