BED

B.E.D, I’m guessing, is perfection at anytime. It was my first visit between 7−9pm on Saturday, and, if I lived nearby, I’d become a part of the furniture.
Two post-​Sydney-​Writers-​Festival, pre-​flu creatures rock up. I was unconvinced by his two prior choices, which focused more on alcohol, low light, and accidental hipster atmosphere than food. After seeing no actual vegetables on the menu, I asked to leave. Surveying the street, I realised this looked like the best choice, and we 360’d.
«I just need vegetables,» I say, again, slightly impatiently, to anyone who will listen. «You’ll love the Gumbo, it’s packed with veggies, and the Jamaican bouncer’s grandmother’s recipe,» says the approachable lady tending the bar. We made it two.
He led me out to the inner back courtyard (there’s another where people can smoke; though none were). Cushions, side booths, a piano, chandelier, low light, and, we were alone. How? Why? Most people were in the front bar and back courtyard. We could have an actual conversation without shouting. I felt like I was in another Sydney, a better, parallel universe Sydney.
The Gumbo was precisely what I needed; packing a little heat. It came with a very tasty side roll, which is deliberately hollow inside. I experiment with filling it with that delectable Gumbo. I don’t know if that’s how it’s done, but. Ohhhhhhh my. This is the best meal I’ve had in 2016.
Ten minutes later, I tell my friend I want another Gumbo. He asked me if I could really eat another. I wasn’t hungry, but had to. It felt like soul food. (I’m convinced it staved off my cold for another day for me to attend an important event the next day.) I also had the Sweet Potato Strips.
This was a meal that makes me not want to eat anywhere else. It changes the benchmark.
At 8pm, we wandered back to the front to the intimate set of around ten tables, and maybe twenty people, to watch LDN. I was transfixed. It was the kind of music that you fall into, it takes you to another place, and helps clarify your world. During their set, I decided on three major things. It was a beautiful release.
Beats Eats Drinks is a place to go if you want to speak, experience, be. It’s quite like Narnia, you need to be ready for it.

I stopped in here with a group of friends early on a Saturday evening. The place was nice enough but kind of empty other than our group. The drinks were the standard usual thing. The service was quick and friendly.