If you’ve watched Masterchef and thought that Gary, Matt or George were nuts in their assessment, you’ll love the hottest new thing on the North Shore. Culinary brother duo, James and Will Christopher (Laneway, Ms Miller Tapas) have forged a successful threesome with Damian Barrow, famed for selling and sailing super yachts around the world. Add the fourth ingredient, British Masterchef finalist Chef James Featherstone and The Public is one local hotspot that should be shared.
Scandinavian cool whites, aqua blues and peaceful Beachwood tones provide clean lines and a multiplicity of seating options from ‘be seen’ high tables to funky booths, and banquet seating. Big groups can step it up a level to a communal area whilst bespoke crochet lights from a Bowral designer creates dancing shadows on the ceiling.
The menu is Greek inspired with Mediterranean twists on pub staples. It’s when they draw on their Greek family heritage that the fun really starts. Papou’s potatoes get a headline act; no one really knows what their grandpa does, but it’s magic when lemon and oregano come together. Chargrilled octopus is soft and crispy on a bed of heartwarming white beans. Spiced lamb with pomegranate molasses languishes on a bed of creamy house made hummus and the moussaka of eggplant and sweet potato are crowd pleasers. Practice your ‘stab and run’ moves if you order the pan-fried Kefalograviera cheese drizzled with honey and charred lemon.
So be prepared to get crafty with a great selection of boutique beers or indulge in a smart wine list that will take you from a Duck Duck Goose Pinot Gris to Hogshead Shiraz. There’s not much ‘Old Fashioned’ about the cocktail list either but this is one local which quite frankly needs to go ‘Public’.
The Public
429 Miller Street, Cammeray NSW 2062
(02) 9925 0050
Open 11am until late 7 days
www.thepubliccammeray.com.au
