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Greek-inspired Restaurant ‘Sofia on Cleveland’ Now Open

Award-winning celebrity chef Justin North has co-launched Greek-inspired restaurant ‘Sofia on Cleveland,’ set within the heritage-listed hotel Bar Cleveland hotel in Redfern.

Read: New Italian Restaurant From the ‘Don Peppino’ Team Opens at Redfern

Chef Justin, who is a collaborator at Sofia on Cleveland, revealed the owners have been planning the restaurant for years, but the pandemic has delayed its opening.

Like any good Middle eastern meal, the servings are generous and designed for sharing. Head chef Nathan Treleaven will show off his skills in creating Southern Mediterranean dishes, such as warm sourdough loaf, char-grilled eggplant salad, and grass-fed beef tartare.

As for mains, there’s a strong focus on grilled dishes, including Shark Bay king prawns served with garlic, chilli, parsley, and lemon butter; wagyu flat iron with king mushrooms; and cauliflower with rocket, parmesan, toasted pine nuts and salsa verde.

Photo credit: Sofia on Cleveland/Facebook

Desserts at Sofia include Ekmek, a baked kataifi pastry with vanilla custard and Chantilly cream, walnut syrup cake with mascarpone, and Visino, a sour cherry preserve with vanilla bean ice cream.

Wash it all down with delicious cocktails, wines, and beers all sourced locally and from Europe. If you’re not into alcoholic drinks, they also have a selection of digestifs, teas, and coffees available.

The name of the restaurant is an ode to owner Sophie Bousgas’ grandmother, who instilled in her a love of cooking.

It was also her grandma who first introduced her to the magic of extra virgin olive oil, which is dubbed as the “heart” of every Mediterranean dish. They use in-house extra virgin olive oil imported from their olive groves in Mani, Greece, which is processed using their local traditional method.

For this new venture, the Bousgas family and Chef Justin enlisted interior designer Tamara Prochnik and builder Heath Dyer to transform the space at Bar Cleveland into a welcoming, vibrant space.

Read: These Popular Fritters Are Now In Redfern

Sofia on Cleveland encourages locals to come and try their vibrant food and homely dining, at Level 2 of Bar Cleveland. Follow them on Facebook for more details.

Multi-Arts Organisation Prefers Creative Precinct for North Eveleigh Redevelopment

Photo credit: Transport for NSW / transport.nsw.gov.au

The proposed Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct redevelopment includes the transformation of the Paint Shop precinct into a housing and commercial hub. A renowned multi-arts organisation, however, is calling for the conversion of the site into a creative precinct instead.

The proposed Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal project seeks to transform the ten-hectare site into a mixed-use precinct including buildings of up to 28 storeys high containing 450 new homes, and commercial and office spaces adjacent to Carriageworks.

Carriageworks, however, suggests that the site be transformed instead into a creative precinct similar to redevelopment projects in other countries, such as the Kings Cross Central in London, where industrial heritage sites are converted into a new community that promotes creativity and innovation.

proposed Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct redevelopment — *Photo credit: Transport for NSW /* transport.nsw.gov.au

Planners, they explained, could instead consider creating a creative quarter for North Eveleigh where built-for-purpose facilities that could cater to film productions, digital businesses and broadcast media would be developed. Whether Carriageworks’ alternative suggestion will be considered or not will be up for the Minister for Planning to decide.

The rezoning proposal for the Paint Shop sub-precinct was exhibited for public comment from 26 July until 25 August 2022. Transport for NSW is in the process of preparing a response to the submissions.

Carriageworks is among Australia’s most acclaimed contemporary multi-arts organisations. The site was built between 1880 and 1889 as part of the Eveleigh Railway Workshops and was redeveloped into a cultural precinct in 2007.

The Carriageworks spaces host premier annual events including Sydney Festival, Sydney Contemporary Art Fair and Sydney Writers’ Festival. Carriageworks is also home to eight resident companies including NSW First Peoples performing arts company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, and Sydney Chamber Opera.

Look! Redfern Mural of Ladies Rugby Pioneer Maggie Moloney Now Completed

Photo Credit: 107 Projects Inc./GoFundMe

Maggie Moloney, one of the pioneering women of the Rugby League, has finally gotten a fitting tribute in her hometown of Redfern after her mural has been completed by street artist Sharon Billinge.

Found at the back wall of Vinnies Redfern along James St, the mural was placed on this site because it was the street where the sportswoman grew up and practiced her skills.

Redfern historian Katherine Haines worked with Ms Billinge for the mural, alongside 107 Projects, which launched the Rugby Girls Street Mural Project initiative to protect the legacy of female Rugby players.

Ms Moloney’s granddaughter, Karen Heard, said that she’s sure her grandmother would say, “What’s all this hooha?” towards her mural. But Billinge said Ms Heard was in tears when she saw the mural for the first time.

“We had family there today from 93 years of age to just 7 months young,” Jo Black, another relative of Ms Moloney, said.

“Aunty Karen represented our family and spoke of our iconic great-grandmother. It was a huge day and I’m honoured and so so proud to be in a family of a strong incredible woman.”

In 1921, Maggie Moloney, then 15 years old, wowed more than 20,000 spectators at the first official women’s rugby match and carried her team, the Metropolitan Blues, to victory against the Sydney Reds.

She was dubbed the “feminine Dally Messenger.” Mr Messenger was one of Australasia’s most accomplished professional rugby players and heavily supported the women’s league.

Ms Haines said that Maggie Moloney’s mural will be an inspiration to many young women who love the sports and could perhaps inspire a Maggie M Medal for NRLW participants, who are presently given a Dally M Medal.

South Dowling St Restaurant Becomes Massive Home, About to Go Under the Hammer

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

What was once a vegan restaurant on South Dowling St in Redfern was turned into a massive, captivating home in a renovation that took several years to complete. The renovated premises is now about to go under the hammer.

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

Located at 685-687 South Dowling Street, the 367-sqm property was a former vegan restaurant site that now contains an eight-bed home with five baths, two kitchens, and a four-car parking space.

The former showroom was also converted into a living area large enough for entertaining plenty of guests plus an alfresco terrace to boot.

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

Whilst the renovation took three to five years to complete, the end result is nothing short of stunning. The building’s interior features stained glass windows, detailed architraves, pendant lights, timber floorboards, luxurious-looking carpet, and granite countertops.

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

The space now boasts 470 sqm of space across four levels. With its massive size, the double-terraced space offers an opportunity to be divided into two residences or simply be used as one large, luxurious abode. With two street frontages, the property offers a prime location, in close proximity to commercial hubs, sporting venues, and parks.

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

This massive Redfern residence goes under the hammer on 29 October 2022 and has an auction guide price of about $3.85 million. The property was last sold in 2005 for $1.203 million.

685-687 S Dowling St, Redfern NSW 2016, Australia

Redbird Chinese Is Coming to Redfern

Photo Credit: chefhamishingham / Instagram

The duo that brought us Bar H and Tequila Daisy is set to introduce ‘Redbird Chinese,’ a new Chinese restaurant that will take residence at the former Isaac Restaurant spot on Redfern Street.

Award-winning chef Hamish Ingham and his wife Rebecca Lines are set to open their new venture in Redfern in November 2022. The couple has commissioned Luchetti Krelle to bring life to the new restaurant’s overall look.

The couple previously owned Bar H Dining, serving modern Asian-inspired food in Surry Hills from 2010 to 2017. They then opened their Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Banksii Vermouth Bar and Bistro at Barangaroo in 2016. Five years later, that venture was relaunched as a Mexican restaurant, Tequila Daisy.

This time around, expect the pair to dish out a modern take on Chinese classic food with rotating signature dishes plus an expertly curated wine list.

The entry of Redbird comes as two new restaurants, Flyover Fritterie and Club Fontana, also landed on the Redfern dining scene in recent months, bringing in their own brand of dishes – the former, specialising in Indian snacks and chai whilst the latter, dishing out Italian-inspired fare.

According to the application lodged in mid-September 2022, the proposed operating hours of Redbird Chinese will be from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday. The complete list of offerings is still under wraps but the venue is expected to open at its site at 95-99 Redfern Street, Redfern in November this year.

95 Redfern St, Redfern NSW 2016, Australia

‘Build a Bridge’ Launched in Response to Plans for Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct

Community groups Alexandria Residents Action Group, REDWatch, and Friends of Erskineville have joined forces to propose a bridge that will connect North to South Eveleigh over the train tracks of the Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct.

Read: Proposal To Privatise Public Housing At Waterloo South Draws Ire Of Locals

The petition, called “Build a Bridge” serves as the locals’ response to the NSW Government’s plans to transform the Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct, into a ‘great new place for Sydney.’

“For a long time a bridge has been proposed in planning for North Eveleigh to remedy this, and we believe that with Transport for NSW reviewing plans for this site the time has come to build it,” the petition reads.

The groups agreed that there’s a need for an active transport corridor to connect Waterloo Metro, Alexandria and South Eveleigh on one side, to Carriageworks, North Eveleigh, Darlington and Sydney University on the other.

“The number of people living and working in and around the rail corridor from Redfern to Erskineville is growing rapidly. Along with that goes more walking and cycling – healthy modes of transport we all want to encourage.”

Artist’s impression of Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct (Photo credit: planning.nsw.gov.au)

“One problem though is the great length of the corridor, requiring very long journeys around the perimeter,” they said.

“We therefore call upon the Minister for Transport to approve the construction of this bridge as a matter of priority,” community groups wrote in their campaign.

A spokesperson from Friends of Erskineville said the bridge could turn a 20-minute commute into two minutes, highlighting the importance of connectin over the train tracks.

Plans for Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct

The 10-hectare Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct comprises three sub-precincts named after heritage buildings on the site:

The Clothing Store Sub-Precinct – it will have a residential character that is integrated with community uses to create a vibrant inner-city place designed for living.
The Carriageworks Sub-Precinct – there will be adaptive re-use of Carriageworks, and will form the cultural heart of the Precinct.
The Paint Shop Sub-Precinct – adjacent to Redfern Station, it will connect to its surrounds through the new Southern Concourse. The iconic Paint Shop building will be reused and the sub-precinct will feature innovative office spaces, residential, retail and community uses, open urban spaces and parks.

Read: Major Redevelopment of Cathedral on Cleveland Street in Redfern Approved

This marks the first time that the government opened up the precinct to the general public in about 100 years.

The project is expected to create up to 6,200 new jobs in innovative, commercial, and creative sectors.

Excitement Brews in South Eveleigh with the Arrival of BrewDog

Excitement’s a-brewin’ at South Eveleigh, soon to be the home of the fourth Australian venue of the world’s largest craft beer brand, BrewDog.

The Scottish craft beer brewery and bar chain, which has been expanding across the world, has started the construction of its newest site in South Eveleigh, its first in NSW, since August 2022.

The $3.2-million development is being built at an old locomotive workshop and is expected to open at the end of the year, just in time for summer.

Once completed, BrewDog South Eveleigh will be able to accommodate 720 patrons in its indoor dining space and bar, whilst 190 people may be able to enjoy drinks and food at the outdoor beer garden.

The bar, installed and integrated into the original workshop machinery on the site, will have about 40 brews on tap, creating a unique hangout for the customers.

Beer lovers will be offered plenty of options from BrewDog’s lineup of draught beers, as well as collaborations with other breweries. Alcohol-free options will also be on offer, alongside a collection of cocktails, ciders, spirits and wines.

Whilst diners may expect the usual pizza, burgers and wings to pair with the drinks, BrewDog South Eveleigh will also have plant-based food and two-for-one vegan pairings every Monday.

BrewDog has teamed with Australian Venue Co for the South Eveleigh venue, joining other popular bars and eateries like Re-Bar and Lucky Kwong.

“The space is truly incredible, we’re thrilled to be part of the next chapter of the historic South Eveleigh precinct,” Australian Venue Co NSW State Manager Evan Gargaro said. “The huge beer garden is going to be a hit, we can’t wait to open this venue just in time for the Sydney summer.”

In 2019, BrewDog launched its first brewery with a taproom in Murrarie, Brisbane, and its second outlet in the same city in Fortitude Valley. Just before this summer, the third venue debuted in Victoria at the Pentridge precinct.

Mum and Daughter Duo Opens NYC-Style Bagels Deli in Redfern

Instead of moving to New York, mother and daughter pair, Bernadette Sheppard and Anna Berlyn, decided to bring NYC-style bagels and lemonade to Redfern by opening the cafe, George St Deli.

Bernadette ate bagels and lemonade most of her lunchtime as a child because of her mum, Colleen, who lived in New York after World War II. The food and drink became a staple in the family that Bernadette passed on to her children when she became a mum.

Anna, who is the youngest of five kids, recalls enjoying batches of toasted bagels regularly with salmon, pastrami, and homemade cream cheese. Thus, when she and her mum planned their move to New York and had been checking Google for information, they soon found themselves shifting gears.

The mother and daughter duo realised that opening an NYC-style bagels shop, inspired by Katz’s Deli and Russ & Daughters, made the most sense, especially since Sydney is experiencing a sandwich obsession phase.

Bernadette, who also runs a real estate company, believes there is a market for American-style deli amidst heaps of Italian cafes in town. Anna said that bagels are in their blood, so opening a shop would make her grandmother mighty proud.

George St Deli opened in late August 2022, offering plain or poppy seed bagels with everything in between. Their most popular variety is the Lox Classic with pastrami, smoked trout, cream cheese, capers, tomatoes and red onion, which perfectly pairs with the homemade lemonade drinks.

For the sweet tooth, George St Deli has sweet bagels filled with Nutella, or peanut butter. The store also serves NYC-style pretzels and Jewish-style babkas for quick bites.

Brews by Will & Co Coffee and tea by Apotheca by Anthia are also on offer.

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The cafe reflects a classic New York aesthetic from the 50s and 60s with retro monochromatic decorations.

*Photo Credit: George St Deli/Instagram*

“In creating the authentic atmosphere of these New York establishments the interiors have been modelled to reflect these iconic delis. As you dine on the mouth-watering bagels, music from the 50s and 60s (think Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald) fills the space and friendly staff attend to your needs,” the duo said.

Since working at the deli, Bernadette has told her son he can take charge of the real estate business while she focuses on hospitality, as she and Anna are looking to expand George St Deli.

Follow the cafe on Instagram.

Local Groups Call For Pedestrian Bridge in Proposed North Eveleigh Redevelopment

Photo Credit: Transport for NSW / transport.nsw.gov.au

Much to the disappointment of locals, the long-awaited pedestrian bridge between Carriageworks and South Eveleigh did not find its way into the proposed North Eveleigh renewal plan, despite having the support of the City of Sydney.

The proposed Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal project will see the 10-hectare site transformed into a revitalised, mixed-use precinct.

It will support the delivery of Tech Central and provide diverse housing and commercial spaces across buildings of up to 28 storeys in height. This includes 450 new homes, at least 15 per cent of which will classified as affordable housing.

The Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct comprises the Clothing Store, Carriageworks and the Paint Shop sub-precincts. The rezoning proposal for the Paint Shop Sub-Precinct went on exhibit from 26 July to 25 August 2022.

Model of the Paint Shop sub-precinct redevelopment proposal | Photo Credit: REDWatch / Facebook

Community groups REDWatch, Alexandria Residents Action Group (ARAG) and Friends of Erskineville who have long been campaigning for a bridge across the Eveleigh tracks expressed disappointment over the non-inclusion of the bridge in the redevelopment plan.

In contrast, the Central Precinct rezoning proposal has three new pedestrian and cycle connections included in the plan.

An online campaign has so far encouraged 774 people to send written letters to Active Transport Minister Rob Stokes. Despite overwhelming local support, the proposed bridge is yet to get a commitment from the state government.

“We need an active transport corridor to connect Waterloo Metro, Alexandria and South Eveleigh on one side, to Carriageworks, North Eveleigh, Darlington and Sydney University on the other.”

On 25 August 2022, the City of Sydney made a submission on the Paint Shop Sub-Precinct rezoning proposal highlighting several issues with the proposals including the lack of commitment to provide an active bridge that will connect the Sub-Precinct to the South Eveleigh.

“As expressed by the Lord Mayor in her letter to the Minister for Transport and Roads on 10 November 2021, the City wishes to collaborate with TfNSW, key stakeholders and communities to provide this essential pedestrian and cycling connection across the rail line. We also need to heal the scar of the railway which has divided suburbs,” the submission stated.

The City of Sydney added that the lack of an overbridge will result in a “physical disconnect” between the sub-precinct and the rest of the innovation precinct. Thus, it recommended the NSW Government include a “firm commitment and implementation plan” for a pedestrian/cycle bridge to link North Eveleigh to the “business and innovation activities in South Eveleigh (former Australian Technology Park) and the communities of Darlington and Chippendale with those in Erskineville, Redfern, Waterloo, and Alexandria.”

REDWatch said that a pedestrian and cycle bridge that will link the Australian Technology Park and North Eveleigh was proposed 15 years ago. The Redfern Waterloo Authority (RWA), however, withdrew the plans put forth in 2008.

REDWatch, in its submission, likewise noted that there is a single-page assessment included in the proposal’s Urban Design Study which states that “detailed consideration” of the pedestrian link between the North and South Eveleigh is outside the scope and does not have NSW Government funding.”

The Group insisted that the master plan must deliver a pedestrian bridge, whether it will be paid for by the developer or the Government. They are, therefore, recommending that TfNSW and TAHE amend the master plan and honour the “long-term commitment to the community.”

New Italian Restaurant From the ‘Don Peppino’ Team Opens at Redfern

Photo Credit: Club Fontana / Instagram

The team behind Don Peppino has found their “sweet spot” at the former home of Ron’s Upstairs on Redfern Street. True enough, this new restaurant on Redfern Street is the perfect place to “de-stress” with their Italian-inspired fare.

After closing down their pop-up restaurant Don Peppino, Daniel Johnston, Ivey Wawn and Harry Levy decided to open a permanent venue. Club Fontana is their latest venture taking residence at the former Ron’s where the crew will serve a slew of seasonal produce-driven regional dishes.

Choosing the Redfern location is something that did not just happen on a whim. The team, in fact, had always had the place on top of his mind since discovering it years ago. And so when the opportunity came, they didn’t have second thoughts about taking over the space.

Oko Olo took care of the venue’s interiors with the space also utilising some upcycled chairs from Arthur and tables courtesy of Vini. The walls, ceiling and staircase are made more appealing thanks to the artwork of Claudia Wawn.

Insalata di mare | Photo Credit: Club Fontana / Instagram

Food-wise, options include sardine meatballs, housemade focaccia, fried artichokes, ‘Nudja croquettes and balsamic bread rolls. Then enjoy their pasta selection including their signature Ceci e tria, which was a crowd favourite at Don Peppino, paccheri and fettuccine verde.

Cotoletta Milanese | Photo Credit: Club Fontana / Instagram

The mains include lamb and fish along with radicchio salad, insalata di mare and broccoli gratin. There is a small specially curated wine list where you can choose the perfect sip to cap off that perfect meal.

Here is some of what they have to say about their Club Fonta experience:

“Love this place! We visited on their second night and it was already pumping. Service was fun and personable, food was amazing and the wines were great. Definitely recommend this new gem.” – N. Redfrern

“The best meal I’ve had in ages! Fontana transports you to a tiny Italian trattoria in atmosphere and flavours. The fried artichoke was out of this world delicious. As was the house made focaccia and daily house made ricotta. We’ll be back!” – F. Robinson

I lived the retro vibe to the restaurant. The unmarked entrance, staircase and the music was great. Food was amazing and the staff were very knowledgeable Hats off to the team!!” F. Bernard

Club Fontana is located at 133A Redfern Street, Redfern. Check their website here for their hours of operation and to make reservations.