Sydney Eat Street: Hidden food gems in Kyle Bay and Carss Park
The secret is out. These quiet leafy suburbs along Georges River have been hiding some pretty savvy foodie gems not far from Hurstville railway station.
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JAAKS RESTAURANT AND BAR
Located on the lower level of The Kyle Bay, the former bowls club has been miraculously transformed into a sleek white ship-shaped building with glass windows overlooking the Georges River. JAAKS Restaurant and Bar is a casually elegant indoor and alfresco dining space.
The contemporary Mediterranean-influenced menu reflects owners (and siblings) George Christodoulou and Diana Valsamis’ Greek heritage and head chef Michael Cvetkoski’s passion for market-fresh produce.
The dishes here are all served share-style and broken down into three categories: Farmer, Fisherman and Butcher.
Being close to the water, the seafood options such as the pasta with clams, lemon butter and herbs, or the pan-seared swordfish with mung beans and pomegranate are a must.
It’s a tough task though to go past the slow-cooked lamb or the pork belly and yet still have room for the baklava with lavender mousse for dessert.
— 12 Merriman St, Kyle Bay; jaaks.com.au
CUP & COOK
Home is where the heart is for the awesome foursome at Cup & Cook and together, this tight-knit team has turned a former antique store into their own humble abode, throwing open their glass-paned French doors to the whole neighbourhood.
Co-owner and head of marketing, Bianca Di Marco, says they all set out to create “a place where families, friends, work colleagues and young folks can meet and enjoy great food and coffee in a relaxed setting and leave feeling happy”.
Behind the counter, Gabriel Coffee is served up with the quick wit and mad barista skills of co-owner Matt Oxenham while his wife, Jansci, who essentially runs the floor, has mastered that delicate balance of joviality and efficiency as she attends to queue of customers.
The “clean-eating” menu, with popular dishes such as the hearty Big Boy One-Pan Brekkie and glorious Green Goddess Chicken Salad, are tailored to suit most any palette and dietary requirement, explains head chef and co-owner Charles Di Marco.
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Judging by the eclectic clientele, which fills the expansive space even on what should normally be a quiet weekday morning, they’ve found a winning formula.
“We only want the best for our business, families and customers,” Bianca says.
“Our staff are like family. We are so incredibly lucky, they are our best assets … they have all contributed to Cup & Cook’s success and reputation.”
While the cafe has been opened a mere three years, the quartet has known one another for years, as before this, Charles had worked for Matt and Jansci for six years as their head chef at their cafe in Sans Souci called ‘Foodies’.
Already having a great working relationship they took the next step to go into business together.
“It felt right for everyone, hence that is how ‘Cup’ (Matt) and ‘Cook’ (Charles) came to be.”
— 5/25-31 Kyle Parade, Kyle Bay; cupandcook.com.au
THE FISHBOX & CO
John Cacic recalls as a child spending days by the water fishing with his father, collecting mussels and cooking them over a fire. Other times, it was grabbing fish and chips on the way home.
It’s that nostalgia — growing up in Tasmania — as well as a seemingly fruitless search for quality takeaway seafood, that is the inspiration for The Fishbox & Co.
Opening the shop along with his wife, Diane, the visionary behind the calming aesthetics of bleached woods and ocean blue hues are reminiscent of a Hampton’s seaside shanty, afforded him more time with his family, rather than late nights as head chef of Blue Fish in Darling Harbour.
A far cry from the frantic 300-plus seat restaurant, this casual eatery is situated on a tree-lined street, a short 200m to Carss Park, making it an ideal stop to pick up lunch to before heading down to the water or even on the way back home.
Their takeaway containers are made of recyclable packaging so the food doesn’t skid around as it does in styrofoam, and because it breathes, those tasty hot chips and battered fish pieces stay crisp and not soggy.
“It’s restaurant quality in a casual setting,” Diane says, noting that for those looking to linger a bit longer, they also allow for BYO with a bottle shop right across the street.
Tuck into the grilled premium Humpty Doo Barramundi. Hailing from the saltwater of the Northern Territory, it has a small layer of fat beneath the skin, which John cooks perfectly to give it the ideal caramel coloured thin crust.
Other must-try items include the Lobster Po’Boy rolls and the cult-favourite, British Box — battered NZ hake, potato scallop, chips and a generous helping of mushy peas.
There’s the obligatory bottle of Sarson’s Malt Vinegar for the true seaside experience.
— 14 Carwar Ave, Carss Park; thefishboxandco.com.au
CARSS PARK CAFE & GRILL
After years of toiling away in the high-pressure retail industry, Carss Park Cafe & Grill owner, Peter Szamek left his corporate career for a day at the park.
That time-out has now lasted more than 10 years, and visitors to the inlet of Kogarah Bay with its parklands and sheltered beach couldn’t be happier.
Gone is the ramshackle kiosk with barely frozen Paddle Pops, replaced instead with a casual bistro serving up breakfast, lunch and come the warmer months, dinner.
Relatively close to the play area, come weekday mornings you’re often likely to see mum’s groups sipping on much-needed coffee while joggers and walkers head in to refuel.
With its expansive water view amid the towering trees, this unexpected oasis is a true hidden gem.
— 107 Carwar Ave, Carss Park; carssparkcafe.com.au
LA VERA CARSS PARK PIZZA
Come for the pizza but stay for the entertainment. At this family-owned takeaway pizzeria, it’s a two for one deal.
Not only can you get most any manner of traditional or gourmet pie here, odds are there’ll be a show as well.
At this sports-mad spot, there’s always a football match (in its many forms) on the TV and a gaggle of locals sitting around enjoying a slice with a side of witty banter.
No wheels? No worries as they deliver as well just in time for kick-off.
— 10 Carwar Ave, Carss Park; laverapizza.com.au
KIZMET CAFE
It’s all about embracing the seasons at this neighbourhood cafe, starting with the vibrant fresh flower arrangements that greet you at the door.
Stop in for a meal or just watch the world go by as you linger over a coffee and a pastry at one of the outdoor tables.
— 11 Carwar Ave, Carss Park; facebook/kizmetcafe
CARSS PARK FINEST MEATS
With so much pre-packaged product lining the shelves at most any grocery store, you may think that getting premium Australian meats cut to order and carried out to your car are part of a bygone era but at Carss Park Finest Meats, Rod McGarry and his daughter Olivia are proof that people still crave that personalised service that can only come about through a family-owned independent business.
Having owned the shop for 12 years, Rod’s gained quite the reputation for providing those secret little cooking tips that only a butcher would know and he does so with a heartfelt smile.
— 12 Carwar Ave, Carss Park
CUBBYHOUSE (Coming soon)
The latest culinary venture from Chrys Xipolitas and sister Emmy, both of Zippo’s Restaurant fame is set to unlock the doors to their newly renovated hangout, Cubbyhouse.
Opening mid-October, this restaurant and bar adorned with rough wood and copper accents will be serving up classic share plates with a contemporary twist unique to modern Australian cuisine.
Think Italian Carpaccio with sesame oil for a subtle Asian flavour.
— 3/25-31 Kyle Parade, Kyle Bay; cubbyhousekylebay.com.au