Rediscovering Danks St Depot

Before the festivals, the fresh markets and antique hubs, there was an unknown cafe called Danks St Depot that opened up in the middle of a suburb best known for its warehouses and factories.

I went here years ago back when I was a uni student undertaking a temp assignment, not long after the train station was built. In search for food, I stumbled across a cafe which I would have missed if not for the awakening smell of fresh coffee and sizzling butter. The café was (at the time) very new – the ambience was fresh and vibrant. The décor strangely resembled a storehouse.

My first taste of the menu was the organic chicken sandwich. I remember feeling like Alice discovering the rabbit hole: Bursting with curiosity as I took my first bite. Staring at the “Eat Me” words labelled across my lunch. Not sure what to expect but full of anticipation.

My experience – the freshly baked artisan bread was met with a delightful combination of organic chicken, whole egg creamy mayonaise, sweet tender corn kernals and the fresh crisp bite of rocket. The flavours dance on my taste buds in faultless unity – all the ingredients a compliment to each other.

For years afterwards the thought of that chicken sandwich made my mouth water but I couldn’t remember the café name or address. When I eventually found it again it had become a celebrated restaurant accompanied with a cookbook and a reputable chef. I was thrilled to see the chicken sandwich was still on the menu.

Having returned several times now, I have added a few other favourites to the list including the awesome garlic bread (and yes! I’ve tried replicating it using Brasserie Bread but it is just not the same). The prices are quite reasonable and service is always friendly. The chicken sandwich, by the way, is still as great as I remembered.

When was the last time you discovered ‘Wonderland’?

Where: Danks St Depot
Location:  1/2 Danks Street (Cnr Young St), Waterloo, NSW 2017
Opened: Mon-Wed 7am-4pm, Thurs-Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 9am-3pm
Dress: Casual
Price: Breakfast/lunch $6-20, Dinner $45 (3 Courses)

Written by Thi

Tasked with the near impossible – lunch for 12 people, at the Rocks and reasonably priced – I set myself to work ie. Googling madly. Fortunately it was SIFF month so I was able to get my hands on the Crave Vouchers for Pony Lounge and Dining.

This rustic restaurant located on the cobbled pavement of Kendall Lane is appropriately decorated with timber flooring, cow hide covered kitchen bench, and (what I think looks like) 3 haystack & rope art feature. The outside verandah was closed off – disappointing given the teasing blue skies outside.

The Express Lunch menu was a choice of 4 dishes:

Chermoula roasted kingfish, warm kipfler potato and herb salad – The Kingfish, well marinated with a creamy dressing.

Eggplant baked with ricotta and wood fire grilled vegetable, salsa verde – excellent vegetarian choice and rich in flavour however the dish came out lukewarm

Thai beef and vermicelli noodle salad, peanuts, chilli coconut dressing – unfortunately no one at our table ordered this dish

Of the dessert menu, the macadamia tart received an all round thumbs up. The vanilla, prune and muscat brulee was smooth and velvety. The banana and lime cheesecake was well presented but very rich (somewhat overpowering).

Despite my minor complaints I was overall pleased with the experience.  The service was refined & forgiving (despite our late arrival). The ambiance stylish & intimate. The food was affordable and beautifully presented looking like little artworks of culinary delights.

Where: Pony Lounge
Location:  Cnr Kendall andArgyle St, The Rocks, Sydney
Opened: 7 days a week. Lunch12-3. Dinner 6pm until late.
Dress: Smart Casual
Price: Crave Lunch Special $25-30.