"Australian Gourmet Traveller" by Matthew Evans January/1999
"We dragged the butcher's freezer through here" gestures David Sharry, eyes flashing like the most dedicated home renovator, "and nearly did in our backs in the process."
Keith Shreeve and David Sharry did a whole lot of things at Wall Two 80, their hip new cafe in Balaclava. Thanks to all the lugging and hauling, this former kosher butcher has been transformed into a totally delectable city-slicker haunt - albeit in a suburb that has always played bridesmaid to its flashy neighbour St Kilda.
There's no sign outside, so keep an eye open for the roller-door frontage, with a little window for takeaways, and the milk-crates topped with Jaffa-coloured cushions, and the crowd with rib hugging t-shirts and tousled hair, who look like they've just emerged from some New York cigar bar.
The revamped space was designed by Mark Heal of architectual firm Six Degrees, and it's simplicity can be deceptive. Inside is a series of cubby-hole rooms, which feature a huge butcher's scales and sign, while the freezer that nearly laid out Sharry is now a refrigerator for drinks. Two archways lead from the counter to a room with tiny wooden tables pinned to the walls. There are flowers, dark wood panels and the original white tiles amid the dubdued tones. And all the while deeply groovy music reinforces the mood.
Mostly it's 20- and 30- somethings who are enjoying the place and it's delicious toasted pide, with fillings such as smoked chicken with dijon and rocket, or pastries from Phillippa's. The unsweetened coffee granita is a hit too.
Restaurant movers and shakers curl over The Age and Genovese coffee, the drop-dead-funky plant their pedal pushers on the green button-stools at the communal table, and people flick through the pages of 'Wallpaper' and feel just that little bit more human than before they arrived.
It's the perfect place to realign the karma and fell that all is right with your world. Perfect for finding inspiration for the bestselling debut novel, taking time out from that Y2K computer program or just recharging for the domestic chores. And if you're contemplating a bit of home renovation, you could worse than to talk to David or Keith. I'm sure they've more than a few tips, specially on how to look after your back.
Keith Shreeve and David Sharry did a whole lot of things at Wall Two 80, their hip new cafe in Balaclava. Thanks to all the lugging and hauling, this former kosher butcher has been transformed into a totally delectable city-slicker haunt - albeit in a suburb that has always played bridesmaid to its flashy neighbour St Kilda.
There's no sign outside, so keep an eye open for the roller-door frontage, with a little window for takeaways, and the milk-crates topped with Jaffa-coloured cushions, and the crowd with rib hugging t-shirts and tousled hair, who look like they've just emerged from some New York cigar bar.
The revamped space was designed by Mark Heal of architectual firm Six Degrees, and it's simplicity can be deceptive. Inside is a series of cubby-hole rooms, which feature a huge butcher's scales and sign, while the freezer that nearly laid out Sharry is now a refrigerator for drinks. Two archways lead from the counter to a room with tiny wooden tables pinned to the walls. There are flowers, dark wood panels and the original white tiles amid the dubdued tones. And all the while deeply groovy music reinforces the mood.
Mostly it's 20- and 30- somethings who are enjoying the place and it's delicious toasted pide, with fillings such as smoked chicken with dijon and rocket, or pastries from Phillippa's. The unsweetened coffee granita is a hit too.
Restaurant movers and shakers curl over The Age and Genovese coffee, the drop-dead-funky plant their pedal pushers on the green button-stools at the communal table, and people flick through the pages of 'Wallpaper' and feel just that little bit more human than before they arrived.
It's the perfect place to realign the karma and fell that all is right with your world. Perfect for finding inspiration for the bestselling debut novel, taking time out from that Y2K computer program or just recharging for the domestic chores. And if you're contemplating a bit of home renovation, you could worse than to talk to David or Keith. I'm sure they've more than a few tips, specially on how to look after your back.
Wall Two 80
