Eat Street: 10 things to try in Potts Point
POTTS Point is full of fascinating places to have lunch. Give it a try and you’ll soon get a taste for this area of Sydney, Jenifer Jagielski reveals.
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POTTS Point is full of fascinating places to have lunch. Give it a try and you’ll soon get a taste for this area of Sydney.
MACLEAY ST DELI
THE way people say that they’re heading to “Dot’s” you’d think they were popping over to a friend’s house.
Considering that Dorothy “Dot” Dowhan counts many of her customers as friends and her shop, Macleay St Deli as being reflective of her childhood home in Poland, you’d be correct.
Actually, much of her shop speaks to her upbringing, from the recycled jars that hold wrapped chocolates, “the way my grandmother used to make for Christmas”, to the antique stove, now part of the decor, that had been used by the original owners 50 years ago.
She’s open daily for coffee and sandwiches and other goodies.
However, Saturday is Polish day, with homemade cakes and pierogis (Polish dumplings), pictured left.
It’s been 26 years since she left Poland and 24 since opening the shop and while there have been some rough years, her “friends’” kept Dot going.
109 Macleay St
JANGLING JACK’S BAR & GRILL
THE space between the bar stools and the wall is just wide enough for one person to pass, which is why co-owner Erin Orlan Grin Raleigh affectionately calls it the “Meet and greet tunnel” as you’ll invariably end up chatting with someone along the way.
It’s all part of a plan that she and her partner Jon Ruttan have developed to create a neighbourhood bar, where people will come in to cosy up to the bespoke 8.5m-long spotted gum timber bar for a meal and a drink.
Jangling Jack’s (named after a Nick Cave song, Jon’s great grandfather and a fictitious Kings Cross character) keeps its music at a conversation level, which makes it all the more likely that regulars will stop in to say hello.
175 Victoria St
THE BUTLER
IT’S hard to describe The Butler without first mentioning its vantage point overlooking the Sydney skyline.
The view alone begs you to stay, while the rattan chairs and abundance of tropical plants invite you to relax and linger in this French colonial setting.
The menu has a nice balance of modern Australian and Caribbean-influenced fare. Much of the dishes are intended to be shared, such as the spiced beef sliders with creole mayo.
Of course, if you’re going to share the food, the same should go for drinks.
And why not start with a chilled carafe of vodka, elderflower, lychee and mint called, appropriately enough, “Ladies Who Lunch”.
123 Victoria Street
PETREL RESTAURANT
FOR most people, a trek in the outback would be a bit of an adventure but for Clinton Whiteman, owner and chef of Petrel Restaurant, it was an epiphany.
While in the desert he began educating himself on native herbs and spices and was so inspired that he completely changed his restaurant’s menu from Moroccan to one using Australian produce.
Many of his customers are travellers, and naturally want to try the house-smoked kangaroo with Yakahjirri Desert spice, many declaring it’s the food trend of the future.
However, Clinton is quick to respond, “No, it’s actually the food of now.”
9 Springfield Ave
ROOSEVELT BAR & DINER
What was once the most famous club in Australia, having hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra, now sees most of its theatrics behind the bar and in the kitchen.
For true drama though, watch the mist that escapes when their signature cocktails are nitrogen chilled.
But for something truly outrageous, try the John Wayne cocktail — a mix of root beer, syrups and their very own bacon bourbon. Yep. Bacon.
32 Orwell Street