IconPark Announces Next Pop-Up Residency, Rupert and Ruby American BBQ

Stanley Street's about to get pretty Pacific Northwestern; IconPark has announced their next pop-up residency. Revealed today, the Darlinghurst space will play host to dream team collaboration Rupert & Ruby from August 25. Bringing together Fat Rupert's Eli Challenger and Aaron Pearce and IconPark favourites Ruby's BBQ, this collaboration marks the second pop-up for the Stanley Street space, following Matt Stone, Bobby Carey and Jeremy Spencer's celebrated Stanley Street Merchants — finishing up this Saturday, August 9.

Launched in this year as a top notch crowdfunding experiment, IconPark was launched to showcase Australia's top hospitality goalkickers — basically providing a space to let kickass collaborations come up with something super special (and temporary). Identifying various teams from their first season of successes, the brisket-loving Ruby's BBQ was invited to curate the second residency for IconPark's second Stanley Street pop-up. "The Ruby’s BBQ concept was so popular at the Taste of Sydney festival, we just had to give these talented and passionate people an opportunity. They will bring a new dimension to the Stanley St location," says IconPark co-founder Dean McEvoy. Fingers crossed for the offensively high-fiveable bourbon iced teas they cranked out at Taste.

Opening late August, the Darlinghurst space will see Bondi's beloved Fat Rupert's team up with braised goodness of Ruby's BBQ (again — the two have paired up for residencies together in the past). Expect modern twists on the flavours of modern Australian-meets-traditional American food — revamped egg dishes, fried chicken and waffles, and the go-to Rupert's menu of addictive burgers. FR's award-winning Yeezy Sliders have been realised in full form as the Big Poppa, with the Bondi Babe and Notorious K.F.C little'uns getting the Rick Moranis treatment as well.

But good ol' greens aren't left out of this, with Eli Challenger's signature salads and vegetable dishes joining the ranks at Rupert & Ruby. Canadian-born and Porteno-trained, Challenger is one of Sydney's best culinary assets; taking out the coveted 2014 People's Choice Award at Taste of Sydney. "Eli is such an exciting young culinary talent, the festival goers at Taste of Sydney recognised the passion he and his team put into their work. IconPark trusts in the ‘crowd’ of diners in cities to identify brilliant talent," says Paul Schell, IconPark co-founder.

Will & Co will crank out coffee at the all-day eatery, a genuine treat for inner-city coffee aficionados who haven't found the lads on Bondi's Hall Street yet. With Stanley Street Merchants closing up this Saturday, August 9, the highly successful St Ali coffee operations will hang around and continue serving their applaudable coffee until Rupert & Ruby open their doors on August 25.

Rupert & Ruby will open at IconPark, 78 Stanley St Darlinghurst on August 25 and reside until the end of 2014. Bookings are now open here.

Look out for season three of IconPark, with new IconPark crowdfunding locations set to be launched around the city.