Kansas City Shuffle (KCS) has given The Rocks has a shiny new café to play around with, and this one is far from your standard newbie. For one, it comes from the ultra reliable Ben Sweeten, standing as his seventh café venture, after involvement in successful venues like Joe Black Café and Proud Mary. Secondly, it has shaped what is the former Cadbury Chocolate Factory and turned it into a clean mix of stone, wood and greenery; a multi-faceted dining space that is both adaptable and consistent.
Kayne Papworth (ex Proud Mary, Dr Morse) will be heading up the kitchen, bringing a clash of superfood dishes and contemporary twists on American diner classics with a dedication to make everything in-house and fresh, using seasonal Australian produce.
Those heading along can expect dishes like the Fried Chicken on a House-Made Donut Bun with slaw, pickles, and jalapeno aioli, the KCS Beef Brisket & Waffles with smoked chilli butter and poached egg, and Toasted Pumpkin Bread with avo, whipped fetta, heirloom tomato, and toasted seeds. These will be available alongside an extensive wine list.
KCS will also have a street-facing ‘Little City Window’ which offers a hole-in-the-wall take-away menu with the likes of Chia Pudding with fresh fruit, coconut, and puffed grains, and GF bowls of Tofu, as well as Smoked Chicken, and Salmon. Coffee will be Single Origin Coffee.
Local catering will be a strong focus of KCS, who currently use the venue’s additional space to host private events for the rest of the year. Following that, the space will be turned into a public bar early next year.
Kansas City Shuffle is located at 195 Gloucester St, The Rocks, NSW 2000
Photos supplied and used with permission
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