AUSTRALIA. Delaware North has focused on local wine, beer, ingredients – and folklore – in its latest opening at Sydney’s Central Railway Station.
Eternity Bar & Grill is the signature venue among three new food & beverage outlets from Delaware North at the station. It is located in the Booking Hall of the refurbished station, and combines a “modern and casual” bar and grill atmosphere with capacity for 220 guests.
Eternity takes its name from one of Sydney’s most eccentric characters. Arthur Stace, who became known as ‘Mr Eternity’, was a reformed alcoholic who converted to Christianity and spread his message by writing the word ‘Eternity’ in chalk an estimated 500,000 times over 35 years on footpaths across Sydney, in a distinctive copperplate script.
Stace was motivated by a 1932 sermon conducted by preacher John Ridley, who exclaimed: “Eternity, eternity! I wish I could sound or shout that word to everyone in the streets of Sydney!” Stace’s graffiti was not well received by council officers, who reportedly tried to arrest him on numerous occasions. He justified his actions by claiming he “had permission from a higher source”, referencing his religious beliefs.
Little evidence of Stace’s work remains, but he has become a key part of city folklore. The word ‘Eternity’ was selected to light up Sydney’s Harbour Bridge to ring in the new century, and also featured later in 2000 in the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games.
“The word ‘Eternity’, and the story behind it, has special meaning for people in Sydney thanks to Arthur Stace and his fixation with writing it everywhere he could, so it’s fitting that we name our signature Central Railway Station eatery in honour of ‘Mr Eternity’,” said Delaware North Managing Director Gary Brown.
“We’ve worked closely with the team at Sydney Trains to come up with a vibrant and exciting venue for commuters and others to enjoy, and the opportunity to operate from this iconic location with its rich history is a real honour.
“We have every confidence Central Railway Station commuters and visitors will enjoy Eternity and our other venues, and that they will become a vibrant part this historic building’s fabric.”
Delaware North consulted with Sydney chef Claire Van Vuuren on Eternity’s menu. She is head chef and co-owner of Bloodwood in Newtown, New South Wales, and recently opened Popla in Bellengen, Northern New South Wales. She gained experience cooking in numerous Sydney kitchens, including Claude’s.
Van Vuuren’s Eternity menu showcases “bold, rustic and colourful food packed with flavour” that reflects her heritage and love of travel. “I wanted the menu to reflect the diversity and energy of people who pass through the station,” she said. “The menu has something for everyone and reflects the flavours and produce of Sydney.
“Eternity will be a meeting place for commuters and bring Sydney-siders, tourists and visitors together for a meal or a smaller bite. The menu is fresh and showcases organic and sustainable produce. It will be the perfect place to start a journey, grab a meal before work, or greet visiting friends and family.”
Van Vuuren noted that the restaurant’s name was a nod to locals. “It’s also a way to engage with visitors to the city and provide a little bit of local history,” she said. “In a city that changes so quickly, the name preserves and honours a small part of Sydney’s past.”
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Please send all news of food & beverage outlet openings, together with images, menus, video etc to Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com to ensure unrivalled global exposure. The company also organises the annual Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards. This year’s FAB took place on 20-21 June in Helsinki.
