Hospitality is one of many Australian industries hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a number of restaurants, bars and cafes closing their doors permanently over the past few months. Joining that, sadly, growing list is Chippendale's A1 Canteen.
Opening in mid-2018, A1 Canteen is the casual sister venue to neighbouring Kensington Street fine-diner Automata. It quickly grew a legion of fans — and Instagram followers — for its take on a New Orleans muffaletta (a layered sandwich packed with cured meats and cheeses) and curried eggs served with LP's sausage.
If the sound of those dishes is making your stomach rumble, you do still have time to visit. The canteen will remain open for just under a month, before shutting up shop for good on Friday, October 9.
Muffaletta
The impending closure was announced on Instagram by chef Clayton Wells, who oversees both A1 and Automata, who said that this year has been "challenging for everyone" in hospitality. Wells said the venue's lease was up for renewal, but the team was unable to justify extending it during "such a volatile climate for cafes and restaurants".
"The closure of A1 Canteen has been an extremely difficult decision to make, however we feel it will create space for new iterations and exciting projects when the climate is right," Wells said in the statement. "Part of running a restaurant is adapting to change, and we'll be using this time to really focus on our diners at Automata and new experiences to come."
While A1 Canteen will close its doors in just a few weeks, Wells says Automata "continues to thrive" and will be celebrating its fifth birthday next week.
Find A1 Canteen at 10 Kensington Street, Chippendale until Friday, October 9.