King's Cross

I took the train from Town Hall to Kings Cross in Sydney, fairly late in the evening. Getting out on Darlinghurst street, I was immediately accosted by people, neon, nightclub touts (pimps really) asking "how ok are you really?" All in all a thoroughly enjoyable Times Square-esque experience, and by enjoyable I of course utterly detestable.

I walked randomly. Soon I turned left and came upon what seemed block after block of leafy suburban sprawl, low-rise brownstones, and - surprisingly - sides streets with all kinds of cozy restaurants and cafes. I passed one called "Sardiner". Haha. I toyed with sitting down, but walked on.

I eventually hit Victoria street, and walked the length of it a couple of times. A parallel street had a restaurant called "Govinda's". People were streaming in though its dinner buffet was over. They were showing a movie. It is a restaurant + screening room. Wow. Sydneysiders apparently have a shortage of cinemas, or they show something groovy in that place.

Finally, I stumbled upon Sel et Poivre. Great place, this. Invoking the cultural exception clause, I tried the confit. The maitre'd or owner or whoever he was was the nicest French service staff I have ever met. Apparently leaving France takes the edge out of the French. Anyway the confit was terrific, the weather great for alfresco dining and the wine pretty good as well. The gay couple on the next table made for some sporadic interesting chat - not quite sure how they do the long distance thing, one from LA and one from Luxembourg or something.

I bade farewell, and went back to the train thinking this would be a swell place to live. I remember passing quiet side streets with said townhouses, inexplicably dripping with character. Mini yards in the front of the house, some with well pruned shrubbery and dwarf ornamental palms, even! It reminded me of some parts of Washington, D.C. Really, all in all, Sydney might be a fine place for a jaunt of a year or two.

I know I dissed Melbourne, but in the next post, its time to give some props to that city.