The Grounds of Alexandria Has Opened Its Very Own Soda Bar

From Hobbit house-inspired pop-ups to opulent themed feasts, The Grounds of Alexandria never does anything by halves. And their recent extension is yet another example. In one fell swoop, the eatery has added a a soda barn, a pizza silo and a barbecue to its premises. Slam dunk.

Executive Chef Paul McGrath has taken care of all three new menus. At the pizza silo, you'll be tucking into traditional, home-style Italian pies, with a splash of contemporary creativity. Headlining the list is the house-made sausage and garden thyme pizza, which is sprinkled with crusted thyme, sesame seeds and mixed herbs.

Meanwhile, meat eaters will be latching onto the BBQ, where they'll be getting stuck into "flamin' awesome" burgers. Offerings include the Big Cheese — featuring a house-ground beef patty, three cheeses and secret sauce — and the Captain Chook with buttermilk chicken, fennel slaw and jalapeño aioli. They'll also be serving up bacon brekkie rolls and sausage sangas for breakfast.

But what we're most excited about is the soda barn. Here you'll be able to get back to your childhood with the Unicorn Soda, a kind of soda freakshake that comes with a mountain of whipped cream, melted chocolate, sprinkles, cotton candy, meringue and a lollipop. I'll be competing for the most Instagram-friendly drink in Sydney in no time. For those with more classic tastes, there are passionfruit, strawberry and coco-lime daiquiris, as well as a handpicked selection of wine, craft beer, smoothies and juices.

Stuck at your work desk reading about all this deliciousness? Let the Grounds' new Express-O shuttle bus rescue you from drudgery. Call anytime between 10.30am and 3.30pm, and it'll pick up you – along with up to seven mates. The only catch is, its run is limited to Rosebery, Mascot and Alexandria for now.