Newtown pub The Bank is many things to many people – a beer bar, live music venue and perfect Sunday-afternoon drinking spot. And now, the Solotel-owned venue is also a dining destination with the launch of Avi’s Kantini, a Middle Eastern-inspired diner – with drinks by Acme co-founder Ed Loveday – in the pub’s leafy courtyard. (The menu will be available anywhere in the three-level boozer.)
Avi’s incorporates flavours from the varied cuisines of the Mediterranean and Middle East into a range of large and small dishes. The meze menu includes dishes such as gooey baked saganaki cheese with honey, pistachio and rose; a spicy Turkish-style lamb flatbread with baba ganoush; and chickpea falafel with muhammara (hot capsicum dip).
There’s also a hearty lamb burger; pitas stuffed with your choice of sesame fried-chicken or falafel; and three pides: fennel and tomato, potato and feta, and spicy sausage. Heavier meal options include charred lamb shish, a sumac-heavy fattoush salad, and fish guvec (stew). And for dessert? Rosewater Turkish delight.
Never miss a Sydney moment. Make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter today.
SUBSCRIBE NOW“Middle Eastern and Turkish food has always been popular in Newtown, and the Avi’s concept is building on that legacy and love in a great outdoor space at The Bank,” Solotel CEO Elliot Solomon tells Broadsheet. “The great thing about the menu is that it works really well as a group shared feasting experience, but can easily adapt to a quick pint and pide or pita if you’re dropping in for a casual bite. There’s also options for a range of eaters – vegetarian, flexitarian, pescatarian, vegan.”
Loveday’s (also ex-Bar Brosé) cocktail menu also packs in the beautifully fragrant flavours of the region. The Karpuz features tequila, watermelon, rosewater and lime, while the spice-heavy Nar incorporates vodka, pomegranate, sumac, falernum and lime. A Middle Eastern-influenced Espresso Martini packs in spiced rum, dates and black walnut alongside coffee.
“We wanted to take people on a little journey around the outskirts of Europe and so had a lot of fun playing with distinct flavours from the region like arak, sumac, pomegranate, saffron and bergamot, that really help to dial up the food flavours,” Loveday tells Broadsheet. “Sumac is [an] ingredient that you don’t see used all that often, but it can add a really mouth-watering quality.”
The courtyard has been overhauled to channel psychedelic ’60s and ’70s vibes, with an enormous, vibrant mural by sign-writing company El Oso Negro popping against the pastels and tans of the refreshed bar and seating.
The Bank
324 King Street, Newtown
(02) 8568 1900
Hours
Mon to Sat 10am–2am
Sun 12pm–12am
Cafes
Restaurants
Bars
Accommodation
Shop
Broadsheet Pick
Recently Opened
