Darlo’s in the middle of a reality TV-esque run of great deli’s and providores. It’s beyond dispute. But my last report only told half the story.

The thing started when a friend said this a few months ago:

The younger generation of the family has taken over the Seven Star convenience store next to Una’s. It’s now closer to a deli than a 7-11.

Pelagio, the expensive deli across the road, was renovating, but it’s reopened. Now they’re stocking roughly the same stuff.

It’s like having a reality TV show in the hood: we’re not sure who is going to succeed, but it really only makes sense that one of them will.

Lee Tran’s comment reminded me to follow it up.

On one side of Victoria Street, the Seven Star’s had a reverse bout of plastic surgery – unchanged exterior, fancy products and fresh produce inside.

The guys behind A Tavola, the great Italian restaurant a few doors down from Seven Star, have taken over the deli across the road, Pelagio.

Formerly known as Providore Pelagio, it’s been heading downhill for ages, with old produce and overpriced products.

The A Tav guys have radically changed the renamed Gastronomia Pelagio, installing a long communal table, and focussing the product line to high end deli products – cheeses, baked goods, meats. It’s much better than before, still pricey though.

Ever woken up in the middle of a reality TV show?

High density Darlo – with at least half a century’s reputation for great cafes and good food – has suddenly gone deli mad.

The skeletal, winding road that’s occasionally Macleay Street, sometimes Darlinghurst Road and eventually Victoria Street, has mushroomed with fancy providores.

You’ve gotta ask, how long can they last?

Here’s one of the originals: the Continental Delicatessan on Macleay.

They’ve exploded in the past year, Fratelli Fresh has even moved in.

Plus every Saturday morning is the Kings Cross farmers’ market.

You feel spoiled, with so many great, independent shops selling delicious produce. But is it sustainable, can they all last?

We noticed this unusual new publication on Liverpool Street this morning. The Darlinghurst Times. Seems like a one-issue rag.

We came across the scene of the crime around the corner on Hardie Street.

“Spider + web, THEFTED!
on Thursday…
bloody well return it!!”

There’s no contact information, so if you’re responsible for this crime (or know who is), probably best to head over to Hardie Street.

Three birds on Clapton Place.

They reappear further down the street place as well.

Having just completed nine months as a pregnant diabetic, I was totally up for a vanilla malt milkshake.

Well, I found it surprisingly difficult to locate in this neighbourhood; the whole ‘malt’ ingredient threw most café operators.

…but find one I did, and really, when I think about it, I should have headed straight there – it was screaming MALT – the Maltese Cafe, on Crown St.

And it was glorious. And you can get two sizes of shake, and let’s be honest, a small one is all you need before you get that bloated, way too much dairy feeling. And it only cost $2.50!

When my search was proving fruitless (or rather, maltless), I considered getting an Oak Vanilla Malt from a convenience, and hell, that would have set me back $2.50.

I am planning a return next week, but this time I will request no vanilla essence, just vanilla ice cream, milk and malt. Oh j’attends avec impatience. Stay tuned…

I noticed this great soccer player in the street the other day. I went back to take a picture and noticed these other miniature street sights.

Not too many crowing roosters in our area. Except this one.

A haunted house on a hill.

An industrial scene? A steam train?

I noticed this star forward while walking up Farrell Avenue last night.

On the way back, I noticed her again.

Sounds very PC, I know. But the evidence stacks up: this striker looks like a she, and is flying through the air just outside LOTL cafe.

Community gardens were almost fatally linked to mung beans, beards and ’60s folky idealism.

But with the last two hip again, plus the food supply and public health impacts of a changing climate – and (maybe) deteriorating urban neighbourhoods – shared gardens are back on the radar.

There is at least one in Woolloomoolloo, on the corner of Sydney Place and Dowling Street, where Mission Australia gets people suffering from mental illness to plant and tend vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Gardening has helped improve clients’ social skills and boosted their social interactions. It’s gone a long way to elevating their confidence too. Seeing the plants grow, and picking their own vegetables has given them a sense of achievement.

That garden was vandalised soon after.

Garden numbers are growing (see the council’s map).

This phenomenon on Myrtle Street, Chippendale is one of my favourites (see also Life in Chippendale and Elizabeth Farrelly).

Outside Mobbs’s house in Chippendale a little garden grows. Beside it a sign reads: “Mandarins, oranges, limes, chillies, mint, native mint, coriander, rocket, strawberries, raspberries, kaffir lime leaves, cumquats, parsley, passionfruit, bay leaves, lemon myrtle and more … Pick any fruit, berry or leaf that you want to eat. These plants provided by local residents for anyone – we need to grow food where we live and work.

I was about to say, “how do I get involved?” But I guess that last quote says, “make it happen.”

It’s a risky game, but the payoff is pretty huge.

It’s not the Mines of Moria though. This Lord of the Rings-esque pic from Urban Exploration Resource was taken below east Sydney, in the Woolloomoolloo Reservoir.

Built in 1930s, to store oil for the nearby Garden Island Naval Base. Used till 1960s. Now disused.

Massive twin reservoirs, oil slicked walls and pillars, 8m high, each half the size of a football field (which code, i dunno). Inset centres with steps, a bit of water mixed with oil, big ladders, killer resonance, stinks of oil.

uer.ca says the manhole is on Lincoln Avenue.

Can Sydney council put on a public art show big enough for big city expectations, yet still creative, representing local artists, relevant to the local community?

Art & About is underway until October 24 at various sites in Hyde Park North, Erskineville Road, George Street laneways, Oxford Street and Danks Street, as well as banners along various city streets, including William Street and Kings Cross Road.

I can see Paddy Bedford’s bright yellow banner from my balcony. If you didn’t know it was part of this show, you might think it was… an oblique promo for some new festival? a summery splash of colour?

(Louise Hearman’s fascinating, odd banners featuring a dog’s head on a black background are up the street near Hyde Park)

Newtown’s 2042: Art on the Street seems to have got locals involved, for something pretty enjoyable.

Not sure if Sydney council’s done it, or even if it’d see that as something to aspire to?