All aboard!
The newly restored Rozelle Tram Depot is set to open as Tramsheds Harold Park, a vibrant food hub of community-focused provedores and restaurants, writes Alex Greig.
FOR years, Rozelle Tram Depot was left mouldering on the edge of Harold Park in Sydney’s Inner West. Its only visitors? Vandals and adventurers, who’d jump the fence to check out the site of edgy urban decay (and more than a few music videos). But, with a $34 million makeover on the cusp of completion, the precinct is preparing to house a mix of provedores, cafés and restaurants. Here’s the lowdown on a hub that will focus on food education and ethical shopping and include a little gelato place you might have heard of...
Butcher & The Farmer Jared Ingersoll helped transform Waterloo into a food destination with Danks Street Depot and now he’s turned his attention to Tramsheds. He’s concocted a butchery, deli, takeaway and restaurant. Diners will see organic meats being roasted over coals and there’s a heritage tram sitting in the restaurant. Ingersoll’s nose-totail philosophy will be expressed in some cool masterclasses, he promises.
Flour Eggs Water As the name suggests, this latest restaurant from Eugenio Maiale (of A Tavola fame) is all about pasta. Like its Darlinghurst and Bondi cousins, Flour Eggs Water takes Maiale’s experience growing up in a food-obsessed Italian family and translates it to the table. That means fresh pasta and a convivial dining atmosphere. The team will also hold pasta-making classes for adults and kids.
Bekya Middle Eastern Kitchen From the people behind Lebanese favourite Al Aseel, Bekya will use the street foods of Egypt as a starting point. “These foods have been influenced by many cultures, such as the Greek, Italian and French communities,” says co-owner Wally Mostafa. Bekya will hold classes in Egyptian recipes and techniques, too.
Fish & Co. Fish & Co., formerly in Annandale, is the first independent restaurant in NSW to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Chain of Custody certification. Now at Tramsheds, the Fish & Co. team will continue to serve fresh, local seafood that has minimal impact on the environment.
Garçon A shopfront for local coffee roaster The Little Marionette, Garçon will have an espresso bar, coffee cart and on-site roastery – what owner Ed Cutcliffe calls “the theatre of the coffee”. It will also educate caffeine enthusiasts with barista classes and coffee-roasting short courses.
◖Other vendors to look out for when Tramsheds opens on September 22 include Bodega 1904 (from the Bodega and Porteño team), Belles Hot Chicken and Gelato Messina.