Hugos Manly, Fish Cafe Balgowlah and Garfish Manly came home with gongs at the metro Restaurant and Catering awards gala night
Beverley Hudec, Manly Daily
September 25, 2014

Three northern beaches restaurants excelled at the metro Restaurant and Catering awards on Monday night. Hugos Manly won Sydney’s best pizza restaurant, Fish Cafe Balgowlah was named the best seafood and Garfish Manly won the people’s choice.

Fish Cafe co owner Con Ioannides attributed the restaurant’s success to his hardworking staff. “It’s the first time that we have been nominated and I am absolutely blown away by the win,” Mr Ioannides said. “I can’t praise my staff enough, everyone puts in 100 per cent, it is a team effort­.”

Produce comes from Balgolwah Seafood, run by Mr Ioannides’ business partner, Jimmy Dawla. “Our fish comes from my business partner, who runs the seafood shop downstairs, it is the best produce we can get. It comes from the Sydney Fish Markets every day,” Mr Ioannides said.

For two-time winner Hugos, quality is paramount, managing director Dave Evans said. “We always use the best quality ingredients and our pizzas are made by chefs, so we are able to take it to the next level,” he said. The Manly Wharf restaurant won the Metro Italian award in 2012.

The metro industry awards recognised the calibre of local restaurants. This year, northern beaches businesses were represented in 10 of the 23 restaurant categories and had four nominations in the catering.

Quay took out the top award, winning restaurant of the year and the fine dining category.

Metro winners will compete in the national awards, which will be held in Melbourne on October 27.