Stories of Food, Gems of Kings Cross

Jewels in the food crown of Kings Cross –  my stories of the food and places I know of, not reviews, personal experiences

Imagine a tiara or a crown  winding from Darlinghurst, Victoria  Rd, Potts Point, flowing along Macleay,  food alchemists creating  jewels in a molten gold with feathery branches, woven with gems, some tardy, encrusted, some shinning freshly minted, real rocks solid, or fragile, transient glass, or hollowed casing where once a gem shone, now a gaping hole…Time has deeply engorged itself in the many layers of this old Sydney suburb. An eternal curiosity stirs my noticing. Hovered over and eventually moved into what I’d always known as Kings Cross.  2019 arriving before COVID but during Sydney’s lockout laws (2014- 21) A suburb already dented & seeded into an ever-increasing gentrification.  Discovering precious local food jewels rippling around my homes. Returning to Sydney after 3yrs in London. Still needing cosmopolitan high density living, aged, diversity of buildings, but having returned thirsting for big open sky, reflective waters, botanical pathways. Inner city energy and freedom. Alone yet amongst a thriving metropolis and food, the frame from which to experience and view community.

Kings Cross  or Potts Point as it like now to called is high density small single bedrooms and studios used to known as bedsits. So many originally built from the turn of 19th C where the posh ones had butlers pantries in the basements, still many, despite renovations have tiny kitchens or alcoves for cooking, some only space for a microwave, with some of older lodgers tenants are leaving because the rents exceed the state pension, and the social housing is reduced because this once overcrowded port inner city suburb famed for its brothels and criminals is now backpackers, some homeless, some very monied whilst, some active churches & charities serve the less fortunate and the old in the community.

Bayswater Rd Potts Point Sydney has a few eateries pubs & clubs with some fitness squished between but in corner vibrant food oasis is Bayswater Kitchenette. serves community! open Mon to Fri. Offers a takeaway dish, each night bookable via its Instagram’s or rock up try your luck at the door. Fabi for single eaters with its wee bar & counter; watch kitchen action.A beacon of light, the source of deep nourishment beams into the space?

Alessia, like martial art master on their mat performing powerful stances, hers a chefs choreographed movements, efficiency grace & the zen. Is this the source of the superpower behind this wee Kitchenette? The focused zen of body stove ignition, a food alchemists secret? All visible. Good food, menu short, Italian, daily with synchronised team of 2- Alessis & Glenda, fluid movement between their well-established smoothly

deft steps. A cake slice venue so small yet friendly as if a family hearth. Generates a goodness as customers squish to let others in a friendly tight squeeze. Glenda, hospo queen of grace manages the 24 seats max & half pavement outside of this a precious food jewel, her warmth & welcome, true professional service matches the food quality, both woman efficient, balanced, tight space. Here in Potts point, this is a suburb of studios & one bedroomed apartments being able to sit as a single, or pick up a take home or dishes cook collect. Locals,  whether owner rich or poor renter there is a lot of singles living nearby, Alessia & Glenda have finely tuned their business for the local social community. My kitchen was gas less for my first couple of weeks, discovered their soups, nourishing hearty real with a slice of sourdough, couldn’t make such a nourishing feed  for the price, The warmth welcome & ease with which they care for the single eaters in the ‘hood. Peeps all gens pop in. Eat pick up or come with friends. I no longer hesitate to eat alone.

Tucked under a spacious awning, Grape Garden Dumplings (confusion over the name? it

says Dumplings TBC ) on the street’s busy corner as locals stumble, rush, wander

by. Its BYO, no I‘m not nostalgic for those Sydney NSW pre-licencing( of small bars )

days, however with food that tastes this good there’s a wisdom to bringing your own and

the service is impeccable.  I read that Gao and Jie's "True Beijing Cuisine" was famous in” ‘Chateswood”before their 2020 closing Here with their son, Ecca, managing the

floor, (I’m still getting over my phobia to eat in restaurants on my own?) Food quality

with Ecca’s service is key, efficient expedient intelligent management to politely hosting

the space, matches the food. But the squish inside, their warmth, as they offer me a

table on my own that could hold more, I’m starting to feel part of this community, I’ve

been Australian since my 20’s mainly Bondi Beach, long past, I searched Sydney until I

found here a ‘hood with diversity of food, cultures & wealth. Happy to recognised as a no

name (yet) local, a nod of the head, a smile a hello “local” … there are plenty of cheap

dumpling places .. this is not a “cheap” offering quality of melodies of flavour of

nourishing broths , simple. Cooked to order and freshly made noodles.

I wouldn’t have ventured or tried here but whilst at Bayswater Kitchenette some locals at

the table next to us recommended it. Its that kind of suburb. Being on the street I’ve

even had a friend walking past decide to join me & my companion . eating on the street

has its own magic. Inner city bliss

Smalls Deli

 A gem a doorway and window on Victoria St, easy to walk past, except for the daily lunchtime queue. Such an office favourite, food bikes & couriers swishing in and out,  I keep promising myself to try some of the other delish sandwiches I see written up on Smalls Deli’s board but once I walk in an “Al Green please  “ bursts forth as if from my belly groaning in anticipation until the request reaches my vocal cords . said and ordered.  (Oh next time to for another I have tried others all good) .  Nourishing light yet filling, filled with veggie goodness.  Often 1/2 covers my lunch needs leaving an afternoon top up of goodness.  Why so few photos of this pinnacle of sandwich delight? I’ve usually munched in before I think to share with the world.   No sandwich is separate from its creation Fresh crunchy crust tasty goodness!  Smalls Deli a hop skip and a jump from my old flat, Emily and partner Ben's warm welcome hello is as nourishing as any sandwich, they opened just as COVID started to shut down Sydney, it saved me from Lockdown home food repetition, they have to be good, sandwiches are usually something I buy far away from home,  as a convenience, however these are a meal and a special bring home. Quality,