Everybody needs a Good Neighbour

The owners of local institution Gus’ Place have opened a new cafe in Kingston to the delight of locals. Gus’ Place is ‘on hiatus’ while the Garema Place site is under construction, but owner Fish Zafar just couldn’t stay away from the hospitality game.

The result is Good Neighbour, located on Wentworth Avenue between the Kingston Foreshore and Old Kingston shops. Along with his co-owner and wife, Hazel, Fish is excited about the opportunity to do something new.

“Gus’ had a lot of history, so we had to pay respect to that. But here, we have a bit more free rein and versatility. We can try different things,” he told Region.

Good Neighbour is a more modern space than Gus’ with a contemporary, clean-cut fitout. The front counter is chock full of pastries, takeaway sandwiches and baked goods. Speedy baristas churn out takeaway coffees at the front window, but further in there’s plenty of seating for dine-in customers.

Fish says that even in the few days they’ve been open, he’s noticed a much stronger community atmosphere than in Civic.

“There’s a very different community here in Kingston. The city was more transient, but we’re right between apartment buildings and busy offices here, too, so we’re seeing local people coming in.”

Fish said that in addition to new customers checking out the store, lots of locals have popped their heads in after hours or before they officially opened to say g’day and welcome them to the neighbourhood.

The menu features plenty of standard favourites and a few Gus’ classics like the Mexican-inspired Heuvos Sucios (Dirty Eggs) and their winter favourite shakshouka (Middle-Eastern baked eggs). When I visited, I tried one of their new dishes: chilli crab folded eggs. These silky smooth eggs are served with flaky paratha bread and topped with a chilli crisp oil, thinly sliced red onion and plenty of fresh coriander. A wedge of lime cuts through the rich dish and while it’s one of the more expensive menu items, there’s enough crab meat to justify the price.

The baked goods are worth saving space for: the chunky New York-style cookies were particularly delicious.

Rotating specials will allow the chefs to see how the new neighbours enjoy different dishes and cuisines, and Fish says they’ll make changes to the menu every few months or so. So far, he’s noticed some differences in the clientele: Kingston residents love matcha lattes more than people in the city, for example.

Several long-term Gus’ staff members have come across to the new cafe. Fish says he’s fortunate to have worked with a few key people for seven years now.

“I want more people to see hospitality as a career. We’re trying to curate a space for people who care about the industry so we can give them a stake in the business.”

It’s still early days, but Good Neighbour has the potential to be the brunch spot of choice for people living and working in the Kingston area, as well as a popular spot to drop in during a walk around the lake.

Good Neighbour is located at 1/55 Wentworth Ave, Kingston. They are open from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm Monday to Friday and from 8 am to 1:30 pm on weekends. Follow Good Neighbour on Facebook or Instagram.

Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Riotact.