Bucklers Canteen

Bar Food Booze Dessert Eat & Drink World

Alex Harmon
March 7, 2012

Image: The boys behind the Ksubi label knocked down the old Hog’s Breath Cafe to create a hipster’s dream house by the beach. Inspired by “their favourite dishes from around the world” the well-traveled boys threw in pinball, pool and gorgeous staff to make their dream canteen.

The boys behind the Ksubi label knocked down the old Hog’s Breath Cafe to create a hipster’s dream house by the beach. Inspired by “their favourite dishes from around the world” the well-traveled boys threw in pinball, pool and gorgeous staff to make their dream canteen. It’s comfortable and Bondi-cool – just like their jeans. From Mexico they brought Fish Tacos ($12.50) with big chunks of fish and crisp papaya salsa. Salads are inexpensive ($10-$13) but packed with decadent ingredients from hazelnuts to goat’s cheese to artichokes to pine nuts. Co-owner Paul Wilson explains he wants his prices to be “the cheapest in the east”. Food and vibe are paramount to any capitalistic gain – this is their labour of love. Slow Cooked Wagyu Beef Rump ($13.50) is cooked perfectly and served pink; I’ve not seen better value wagyu hit a porcelain plate. Unfortunately they’ve taken the Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice and Peas ($13.50) “from New York”, rather than the Caribbean like I’d hoped. It’s watered down and uses garden-variety-peas when you just want beans. Cute touches like Nutella Lollypops ($3/each) and turning the old Hog timber into tables make you forgive any rough edges, and their Mai Tais ($17) are the bomb.