Beautiful things

As the tabletops inside attest, the brand new Italian café Bella Cosi on Beach Street is housed in the former Freemasons Tavern, the facade of which was rebuilt in its original 1859 style as part of the apartment block that now pokes out the of the top. This reproduction advertisement on the Stokes Street side, echoes the alcoholic history on the side of the former Joshua Brothers distillery on Pickles Street.

As far as I know, this commercial property (next door to the relatively new Nami Japanese restaurant) has been empty since the 2008 rebuild. It's a wonder to me (especially with The London currently lying dormant) that there aren't more businesses taking advantage of the views down on the front here. They are currently open late Wed-Fri, although currently unlicensed. As well as the pastries, espresso and biscotti that you would expect, the Di Lisio family is also planning on offering coffee machines, cookery classes and gift hampers. Good luck to them :-)