If you're an inner-west Sydney lover as I am, you might already know about some of the new treasures springing up all over Newtown. As a self-confessed urban appreciator, I feel it my duty to pass on news of these exciting new places so that others can rightly appreciate them also, so here are a few things I've discovered in Newtown in recent weeks:
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1. Madame Fling Flong (cocktail bar + tapas lounge)
*sighs*
Discovering Madame Fling Flong was like finding a little piece of Melbourne stowing away in Sydney. It is all sorts of wonderful - the cocktails are fun, the food is yummo, and the fitout is like op-shop chic with a swirl of classy embellishments. It's small and intimate, the lighting is lamplight cosy, and the music is ambient and a little bit jazzy (i.e. you can still converse without shouting). For a bar, it's perfect and I love it lots.
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2. Berkelouw's new store (bookshop + cafe)
I heard through the social grapevine that Berkelouw had opened a new store on O'Connell St just off of King St (where T2 is located). It used to be a fantastic warehouse space occupied by Dock 1 (recycled industrial furniture), but now it is a fantastic warehouse space occupied by Berkelouw, and it's very funky (I know, I hate that overused word too, but it fits, ok). I am planning to visit the cafe upstairs tomorrow to fully test-drive the new store, but from what I've seen already, it's a great conversion.
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3. Newspaper Taxi (vintage + handmade goodies)
Springing up on Australia Street only a handful of months ago, I was delighted to wander past this store one sunshiney day and unexpectedly stumble on something very lovely. Shelbyville nearly got to stock some of her own little goodies in Newspaper Taxi, but alas, fiscal realities and retail markups unfortunately got in the way. Nonetheless, Newspaper Taxi is full of many, many cute vintage things, and decidedly worth a visit if you are in the area.
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4. Black Star Pastry (cake + pastry shop)
Just a little way down the street from Newspaper Taxi (next to the restaurant Oscillate Wildly) is the delightful little pastry place called Black Star. I dropped in there the other week and treated myself to a hazelnut chocolate macaroon, and it was gooooooood! Adriano Zumbo has some competition! The shop itself is very, very tiny, but it has some very tasty treats displayed all over the vintage counter. It's on my breakfast-to-do list for the New Year. Did I also mention they have Rose Petal Jelly, Ginger Ninjas (gingerbread men chocolatised to look like ninjas) and Canneles (caramelised on the outside, custardy on the inside)..? Yum, yum.
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5. Nosey in Newtown (blog)
Funny enough, I stumbled across this blog today whilst searching for pics for this blog post. And then I couldn't stop reading through it. Nosey in Newtown offers just the kind of urban commentary I appreciate! Go check it out for yourself - you'll doubly appreciate it if you are familiar with the Newtown area...
So, has anyone out there ever received one of Nosey's trademark calling cards?
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And so ends my select reviews of new things in Newtown. If anyone reading this has suggestions of other new Newtown things, I'd be delighted to hear about them - comment away people... :)
