7 minute read
The Alcott opens its doors
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After much anticipation, The Alcott has joined the food scene in Lane Cove, with many locals attending the launch function in July.
Already proving itself as a popular destination, for many it’s the first time they’ve stepped foot into the building in Birdwood Avenue, which had been the home of the Lane Cove Club for over 60 years.
The venue has had a radical transformation with a stylish fitout that offers a range of different areas to eat, drink and catch up with friends. Now part of the NORTHS (North Sydney Leagues Club) stable, which also operates the Greens in North Sydney, The Alcott has a great vibe. Lounge areas merge with booths, tables and bar areas. With a 200-seat restaurant, there is also a separate function space upstairs which can be hired out for private functions. Richard Slarp is Head Chef and he oversees a team of ten chefs working across two kitchens. Richard has an impressive resume which includes time spent at Sake, Est, Slip Inn and Aria Catering. “The Alcott is a great addition to the food scene here. It provides locals with another choice for eating out and helps to make Lane Cove more of a destination.
“Lane Cove has so much potential. I hadn’t visited the area for a long time, so I was surprised to see how much it had changed and the focus towards improving it.” Richard has designed a menu with a Mediterranean influence, and the dishes are designed for sharing. Think smoky chargrilled eggplant with pomegranate; charred calamari with fennel and rocket; twice cooked lamb ribs with coriander and sumac; and Hiramasa kingfish with beetroot labne.
Richard Slarp, Head Chef at The Alcott
The Spritz Bar is also proving very popular. Modelled from a popular trend in Europe, this dedicated bar serves seasonal cocktails including enticing combinations of spirits and bubbles mixed with ingredients like elderflower, grapefruit and lychee. The Alcott also has a full entertainment line-up, with artists playing for Sunday sessions, together with trivia nights, comedy nights and art workshops. As part of a not-for-profit organisation, The Alcott will be looking to support local groups and give back to the local community.
Open Monday to Thursday: 12pm – 2.30pm & 5pm – 9pm Friday: 12pm – 2.30pm & 5pm – 10pm, Saturday: 11am – 10pm, Sunday: 11am – 9pm 1 Birdwood Avenue, Lane Cove www.thealcott.com.au/
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ONE HUNDRED WORDS...
What's in a number? I'll tell you! FIVE is my favourite number. Why? Two fives in my birth year and my life number is five. Major life transformations have happened at ages that add up to five. Leaving the UK for a new life in Sydney at fourteen, one and four add up to five. Beginning my business at thirty-two, three and two add up to five. I met my husband at forty-one, four and one adds up to five and he's five years older than me, and guess what number is our house on our street? Yep it's FIVE! Maria Karambelas Greenwich
Lana looked at the other woman on the bus, with the screaming, squirming child. She shook her head sadly, thinking about mothers giving birth to babies they can’t handle; while she was struggling with IVF, putting strain on her body, spirit and marriage. Lana sighed. The other woman caught a glimpse of Lana; similar age but definitely more sophisticated looking. She smiled tiredly at her autistic son. She loved him dearly. Yet, on days like these, she looked at people like Lana and was jealous at how in control of their life they seemed to be. The other woman sighed. Stephanie Bugeja Lane Cove
It was a bright sunny day as we took off from Camden airfield in our little Cessna. We climbed steadily to 8000 feet and by this time a faint mist could be seen below. We jumped out and immediately realised the mist was really rain. From above, the earth looked dark. The raindrops were racing up at us like silver bullets. It was quite painful and I was becoming soaked. I opened the parachute and suddenly I was falling slower than the raindrops. It was strange to look out and see the raindrops falling ever so slowly beside the parachute.
Grahame Wilson Riverview
TO ENTER Email your story with your name, address and phone number to editor@thevillageobserver.com.au CONDITIONS Stories must be exactly 100 words about any subject and in any writing style. They must be original and unpublished. There is no limit to the number of stories that you contribute during the year. Each month, selected entries will be published in TVO. At the end of the year, all entries will be judged based on their originality and creativity. THREE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE A $50 BURNS BAY BOOKERY VOUCHER.
My son wanders into the garden to catch some sunshine and heads straight for the sandpit down the back. Twenty minutes later I look out. No sign of him. Our backyard is vast, the back fence in tatters, a haunting forest smothers the area beyond. Has he roamed too far? “Son?” I yell in panic. Nothing. “SON?” I scream. Silence, just the echo of my terrified calls rebound off the forest walls. A rustling in the bushes catches my gaze. Suddenly, a little white face emerges, a big, juicy lizard hanging from its mouth like a tongue. It was son! Courtney Gibson Riverview
“See ya.” “Where you going?” “Swimming, be home before dark”. Swimming in Berrys Bay baths, dozens of kids, not a parent in sight. Diving off the roof of the shed into three foot of water, boats being antifouled with lead based paint right alongside the baths. Huge inner tubes from trucks, great fun. Swimming outside the baths. Broken oyster shells everywhere, just watch your step. No ohs, no helicopter parents, no canteen, no bottled water. WHAT! No hats, no shoes, just speedos and a towel. No laptops, no mobile phones. How did we all survive, but survive we did!
James Strickland “You’re the cat’s pajamas,” she began, “but even more. You’re also its little night hat - the type worn in a Dickens novel. You’re the cat’s travel toothbrush that it packs in a tiny plastic container. I would even go as far as to say you’re the cat’s fluffy slippers and warming robe it casts on casually after it takes a shower!” He smiled. “In what way?” he asked, fishing for further pleasantries and affirmation of his importance in her world. “In that you’re completely unnecessary,” she replied. “Cat’s don’t need any of that junk in their life. We’re breaking up.” Troy Graham Lane Cove
Cara’s text was ambiguous: ‘Stop calling. Cu @ home at 5 on Sat.’ I cycled towards home. I’d been away, ‘couch-surfing’. I had to leave to clear my head, having blown the rent on the pokies. On Diamonds Deluxe! Again! Cara will take me back. We’re so good together. It was almost 5 as I coasted into Howell Place. I first saw the smoke in our yard, then the fire. What the…? I spotted my golf bag, my clothes, and my books. All up in flames. My phone vibrated. It was a text, from Cara: ‘Game over, player 1.’ Anthony Lane Lane Cove
Every day the marketer returns to his lonely shop, over and over nobody comes. Is it because it’s in his dreams or is it just an illusion, the questions are like ringing bells playing round and round. The marketer is crazy some say and others, well they say he’s a man with no soul. Why is there no customers you ask? Well that is to be discovered. One day his eyes opened, he breathes heavily as he sets up for the sorrowful day ahead. A customer appears out of the blue. Why you say? Maybe you need to discover it yourself. Monique Abacum Lane Cove
