What’s going on in Charlie’s Corner?

Posted on 28 July, 2018

Stalwarts of Kingston’s café scene have been waiting eight long months to see the iconic corner – which once housed Me and Mrs Jones and then Jones and Co – undergo its latest transformation.

A surprise sale by owner Socrates Kochinos in March proved rumours that it was going to become a southside version of Grease Monkey incorrect.

And the latest incarnation has no Jones involved. Although there are definitely burgers.

It’s called Charlie’s Corner – an homage to Charles Kingston after whom the suburb is named.

Run by Lachlan Ryan and a silent partner, the sunny spot on the corner of Giles and Kennedy Streets looks almost identical to how it was left as Jones and Co. Frankly, the million-dollar fit was hard to improve upon and Lachlan said they’d kept the look and feel the same. But the vibe is decidedly mellow and underplayed.

Lachlan, who has notched up some experience in various Canberra haunts, most recently the ANU’s pop-up bar MOLO Live, said the aim was to take the fine dining expectations down and provide a more classic local experience.

This means sliders, tacos, club sandwiches, and burgers for light meals, and steaks, lamb cutlets and fish and chips for mains.

There seems to be a stronger focus on sweet treats, with a glass display housing all manner of tartes, brownies and muffins and a specials board announcing a number of classic desserts, from chocolate mousse to sticky date pudding.

Coffee is by 7 Miles, tea by SereniTEA, and all manner of alcoholic beverages signal this place aims to be a genuine watering hole – open til midnight.

“We listened to what people wanted around here and they want a really relaxed, casual, honest local.”

The team is going for a very soft launch after opening its doors just last week.

But already the passers-by are happily reacquainting themselves with Charlie.