Jack The Geezer

The Verdict

Middle Park’s name is pretty apt—the South’s classic middle child: sandwiched between its Grand Prix park-brother, Albert, and the grunge and glam of St Kilda. The only people who know its foodie secrets are the canny locals who spend Sundays brunching near the Armstrong St roundabout. To everyone else, it’s a suburb that sort of fills in space. Until now, anyway, because Jack The Geezer just landed on Canterbury Rd.

First-time owner Kane Duong has established what could be Middle Park’s new weekend hotspot. The place only opened a week ago, but it’s already got a solid Saturday buzz going. Head Chef Anna Letho (formerly of Tom, Dick & Harry in South Yarra) captains the kitchen, and the menu is big, bold and British. Carnivores should sink their teeth into The Geezer (a stomach-stretching plate of poached eggs, sausage, liverwurst and sauerkraut on a potato waffle, smothered in Hot English mustard hollandaise). If you’re after a light bite, Smashed Avo, Innit might be the go (think pumpkin toast, orange fennel and crushed pistachio). The Geezer also makes its own Cubanos, Croque Monsieurs and fruit-loaded sago cups for a cheeky takeaway. Nice touch.

The corner space is light and airy, with a few modern touches: copper piping, tasteful greenery and honeycomb tiling on the bar. Duong has managed to nail the Melbourne ‘look’ without getting generic. And while The Geezer’s logo might look a tad grim (he’s a geezer, innit) the wait staff are bubbly and helpful. Yep, this place has ‘Middle Park regular’ written all over it.

Image credit: Burgers Of Melbourne | Brennan Lukav