Across the Border: Kings Cross: Art and Culture: Antiques on Kellett: Last Days of the New York Restaurant, by Michael Gormly

New York Restaurant, by Michael Gormly, 2010

Man about town Michael Gormly has been photographing and writing about Kings Cross and the surrounding areas for years and this THURSDAY, September 1, a new exhibition of his work opens in the neighbourhood.

Last Days of the New York Restaurant is a collection of photographs of this Kings Cross dining institution, which closed last October after more than 50 years in the area. 

The restaurant, run by John Kakeris and Paul Varvaressos, was a dinner table away from home for hundreds of people and was forced out of its shop at 18 Kellett Street in Kings Cross due to an unaffordable rent increase. So it was a sad day when it closed.

The space remained vacant until a couple of months ago when an antique business, Antique on Kellett, moved in - and in a nice little bit of synchronicity or some-such, Gormly's exhibition will be held in the shop.

''The project celebrates the 50-plus years the New York fed all comers with classic Australian food at budget prices, and builds a symbolic bridge between the past and present uses of the premises,'' the exhibition flier says.

The opening night will feature ''chilled 60s underground'' music by DJ Mick Normal, as well as gourmet finger food inspired by the New York menu, of which there will be souvenir copies available. Booze is by gold coin donation.

The THURSDAY exhibition, from 6.30pm, is also a good chance to meet the new owner, Stella, and to browse her collection of antique and retro treasures.

I also like the symbolism of the exhibition opening on the first day of Spring and I will definitely be there to celebrate the show, the new season and the birth of a Kings Cross business. 

New York Restaurant, by Michael Gormly, 2010

*

Last Days of the New York Restaurant

A Photo Exhibition by Michael Gormly
September 1-8, 2011

Antiques on Kellett

18 Kellett Street

Kings Cross NSW 2011
Michael Gormly's Kings Cross Times Blog
Michael Gormly's Website
Michael Gormly's City News Story on the New York Closure
Photographs Copyright of Michael Gormly