From our abode.
Tales, tips and tastes. From the neighbourhoods we call home.
Welcome to ‘From our abode.’ The first edition of our new series that takes you behind the proverbial curtain sharing insider reveries, Ode haunts and new, and current talks of the town that make you feel like a local.
Issue 1 comes straight from the heart of Chippendale, the kitchens of The Old Clare Hotel.
Meet Jarrod Walsh, Group Executive Chef for Ode Hotels. When Jarrod isn’t making magic with our menus or creating culinary art in the Longshore kitchen, he’s exploring and eating the best of vibrant Chippendale. This month, we asked him to tell us all about the things he’s loving, from his abode.
We’re visiting
“Victoria Park. Now that the sun is shining more, you can’t beat it. Go for a swim, take the dogs or enjoy a picnic. It’s like a little escapism in the middle of the city. Or for rainier days visit the White Rabbit Gallery. It’s super cool and they have all kinds of pop-ups and exhibitions happening.”
Victoria Park is just a 10-15 minute walk from The Old Clare, and offers the perfect place to be among nature. The contemporary White Rabbit Gallery is just a 5 minute stroll around the corner, and though the Chinese art specialist space will be closed until mid December while they install their new exhibition, keep an eye on their social channels to make it part of your holiday season stay itinerary.
We’re eating
“My favourite thing on the new Longshore menu? It’s like choosing a favourite child- I can’t pick one! But something that is absolutely hitting the spot as we head into summer, is the barbecued chuck tail. It’s super simple, but done so well. We serve it with pepperberry jus and a smoked beef sauce over the top. You have to try it.”
The Old Clare’s Longshore has just launched a restyled look and new menu inspired by the dynamic Australian coastline. The interiors recently caught the eye of the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, who announced Longshore as the winner of the Australia & Pacific – Standalone category; and the menu was a resounding success with the Good Food Guide who renewed their hat status for 2025.
“A dish from the new launch that’s really exciting me is the grilled calamari. It’s line caught in pristine waters near Port Lincoln, South Australia. We serve it with a native Xo made from macadamia, dried scallop, dried prawn, chilli, onion, garlic ginger & oyster sauce; and top it with crispy fried curry leaves. It’s delicious. But I really love this dish because it shows how you can create something amazing, with absolutely nothing going to waste. Even the ink from the calamari is used to create the vinaigrette dressing.”
The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday-Saturday 6pm-10pm, and also for Saturday lunch 12pm-3pm.
We’re drinking
“I’m loving the Uni beer by Sailors Grave Brewing – it’s brewed with sea urchins and lemon myrtle, so it has the perfect coastal flavours to go alongside some fresh Aussie seafood. It tasted perfect paired with Western Australia scallops, Cape Morton prawn crudo and pickled Jarvis Bay mussels. It’s what I’d order for an early evening sharer.”
We’re watching
“If we’re lucky, something super cool and unique at Phoenix Central Park. It’s an arts venue where all tickets are free, but allocated through a ballot. If your name is picked you could see up and coming live musicians, indie films or performance art.”
Phoenix Central Park is just a 5 minute walk from The Old Clare, and the December programme features highlights like improvised post-jazz with We Will Intersect, contemporary classical with Australian violinist Harry Ward and music from MIKE– described as ‘rap’s youngest old soul’. The venue was recently named one of the top things to do in Time Out Sydney Recommends 2024, a curated list that also featured our own, The Old Clare, as one of the top hotels.
We’re listening to
“Pre-service, usually it’s something like Black Sabbath. But during dinner, we switch it up and play a lot of Tame Impala. You’ll hear them in the playlist at Longshore, we’re all big fans and their music just fits so well.”
In keeping with the coastal inspired menu, the Longshore playlist is an Indie mix that transports you straight to the ocean side. Listen at home, or on the beach, here.
We’re talking about
“Chippendale! There’s so much happening around here and in the suburbs nearby too. New bars and restaurants are opening up with cool concepts. Like the new place in Redfern, Attenzione, that was opened up by four mates of mine. It’s a great wine bar that’s got everyone talking, and I like it because it offers a completely different concept to Longshore so we complement each other.”
“Chef Mans, ex-Saint Peter and a good friend of mine who collaborated with us on an event at Longshore last year, is also opening his own restaurant in the area too- I can’t wait to try it out.”
The suburb The Old Clare calls home recently made number 7 on Time Out’s list of the 38 coolest neighbourhoods around the globe, with the publication citing our local ‘small yet spunky’ and ‘punching above its weight’. It’s also close to neighbouring suburb Eveleigh where you’ll find the iconic Carriageworks.
“It’s a Sydney institution. And one we’re talking about a lot right now, as they’ve just announced their summer program: Turning Up The Heat.”
As part of the neighbourhood, Carriageworks gives guests of The Old Clare the chance to experience the art, culture and local produce.
Feel like a local
Whether you’re stopping by to dine or staying a while, bookmark this page to feel part of the Chippendale community. Our abode is yours.
