The Thousands

We’ve all had the experience of looking at a work of art, absolutely, totally loving it, and then reading the accompanied information on what it’s ‘about’ – and disappointedly liking it way less…

Luckily, in the case of John and Peter Canteen, the reasons you’ll be excited about it are the excellent food, and the terrific service. Hey, that’s what a restaurant’s all about, right? Combine this with their location in a neighbourhood bereft of any nice, sit-down dining options, and its home in the always enjoyable Carriageworks, and you’re laughing mate.

The disappointing accompanying text: the decor – whitewashed and fab – is a bit incongruous. Carriageworks’ industrial restoration is so aesthetically awesome, it’s a shame they didn’t match that. Also, johnandpeter seem to have somethingwrongwith their space bar. And their menu is in another language, Italian or something (pet hate – people wouldn’t go for a Lebanese restaurant with menus in Arabic, but since it’s Italian it’s ‘oh so sophisticated’). The hype surrounding their celebrity clientele and star-studded opening is off-putting. Reviews have also already re-zoned them in Redfern, despite Carriageworks clearly being in the middle of Eveleigh.

But the food will have you happily satiated (my dining companion, let’s call him The Golden Douchebag, said he’d return for the focaccia, the lightest and tastiest he’d ever eaten – and I would happily join this Douchebag). With rustic Italian fare done simply and tastefully, johnandpeter have got the most important part down pat.