The legendary New York Restaurant, which closed down late last year, will be the subject of an exhibition opening tonight.
Photographer Michael Gormly will pay homage to the restaurant’s extensive history with a series of photos, spanning the eatery’s 60 years.
“The project celebrates the fifty-plus years the New York fed all comers with classic Australian food at budget prices,” said Gormly. “The restaurant was an historical living window into our cultural past.
“They had an ethic where they would take all comers; they would welcome and feed anyone. It was a very cheerful, democratic place.”
The exhibition, titled Last Days Of The New York Restaurant, will be held at the former location of restaurant and will focus on the eatery’s food, various patrons and homely atmosphere over the years.
As well as Gormly’s photographs, the exhibition will feature souveni menus and gourmet finger food, inspired by The New York menu.
Co-owner of the former restaurant, Jon Kakaris, has praised the exhibition.
“I’m very happy the exhibition is taking place,” he said. “The restaurant was like family to me – the customers, they were family.”
Chairman of the Potts Point Partnership, Adrian Bartels, said the New York Restaurant was an important part of the community.
“It was the neighbourhood dining room where everybody was welcome,” Bartels said. “It was sad to see it go.”
President of the Potts Point and Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society, Andrew Woodhouse, believes the exhibition to be an important celebration.
“Gormly’s exhibition is visual social history and captures the 1950 laminex world of a restaurant that was blast from the past and seemingly untouched by time.”
Nick and George Symeon and George Tsangaris first opened The New York in William Street, during the post-war Australia of the 1950s.
The eatery became famous for serving affordable, home-cooked meals to locals and visitors from all walks of life. It was the last remaining vestige of other depression-inspired eateries in the area but was closed down in late October last year when rent was doubled.
Last Days Of The New York Restaurant will open tonight at 18 Kellet Street Kings Cross.
By Georgia Fullerton
