The Commons

LOCATION
A quick wander down from where Oxford Street meets Burton Street (on the opposite side to 32A and 32B Burton Street).

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
The Commons is a fantastic little place. There. It had to be said. Originally starting up as a common project by a group of friends and going by the name of “The Pond”, it has now come into its own with a new lease, a new name, a new menu and a few new special touches. As before, it remains a heritage-listed cottage that sits at the Crown Street end of Burton Street. And, as before, a coffee machine greets diners in an intimate courtyard, while a fireplace (blazing in winter, dormant in summer) and picnic-style tables do the pleasantries in the common dining area. These are accompanied by a hole-in-the-wall bar and all of the charm of 19th century sandstone walls.

The main dining area is also where fresh produce invites diners to get their fill of innovative, modern Australian cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night snacks, The Commons kitchen churns out a variety of clever dishes ranging from various muesli and egg creations in the morning through to the likes of antipasto, soups and sandwiches for lunch and more substantial meals like lasagne with biodynamic veal and free-range pork, and French onion soup for dinner. And, you’ll be happy to know, The Commons is a committed localvore and sources its produce from ethical and local suppliers. For a change of scenery, you can venture downstairs to a charming Australian-flora-filled backyard. There is also a dimly-lit room in the belly of the cottage. What happens down there? It’s against house rules to brag about it, but you should definitely check it out. Bring your appetite for wine, boutique Australian beer and pre-1950’s cocktails.

Agnes Gajewska