Where The Pond once briefly lived for three months, The Commons now resides permanently. I was beyond relief to hear the owners hadn’t closed The Pond, but merely renamed the establishment, rehashed the menu and decorated the downstairs bar with vinyls and books (I then sold my house, took up residency at The Commons and lived happily ever after.)

Housed in a 160-year-old sandstone building with an open courtyard at the front and another at the rear, downstairs, the space has been collectively built by a group of people who are interested in things that are local, fresh, and simple. And it’s this simplicity that makes it so refreshing, homely and quietly amazing. The sandstone foundations, long wooden furniture, hanging ferns, candles lodged in walls, packed bookshelves with books and vinyls to peruse through, there’s nothing I don’t like about this place.

For its Coffee Cart and Breakfast, The Commons are open Monday–Friday 7am–Midday and 8am-midday on Weekends. As for Lunch and Dinner, swing by between Midday–Midnight on Mondays to Thursdays, and Midday-1am on Friday-Saturdays and Midday-11pm on Sundays. The Commons is all about organic cuisine so take a bite of the silverbeet, zucchini flower and ricotta ravioli or the grilled squid with white beans and chorizo. Yum-my. Antipasti and Light Meals range from $8 – $18 and Mains are $12 – $25.

With smiling patrons, yummy wines (and good recommendations) and antipasti available, The Commons should be your local eating house. And if you live over the bridge like myself, then move house. I now sleep in Burton Street. It’s proving a very popular street for quality drinks with great atmosphere.