Kings and Round Tables: Sydney's Good Weird & Auctions - Disrupting Tradition to Shape the Future.

A lesson in presence, persuasion, and why the best auctions feel like a party - this kind of hospitality needs no reservation.

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King Clarence

On our way to the Greek Festival in Darling Harbour, we stopped by King Clarence

Sitting on the pavement amongst the traffic, nice, at 5pm, we sipped our Montenegro Sour and ate Steam Prawn Dumplings, Supreme butter, bacon jam, friend garlic. Shove it in my mouth, prawns and bacon are a delicious combo.

Inside King, I love how no-nonsense the dining room is, aside from a pair of vintage glass chandeliers at the entrance, it’s clear you’re here for the food. The mix of round and rectangular tables gives the room a sense of movement and theatre, shaping the way people gather looks like a well-choreographed dance. Around them, guests sit with heads drawn in close, deep in conversation, sharing plates - impossible to eavesdrop on.

And then there’s the guests themselves - high fashion, but the intellectual, offbeat, slightly undone but intentional & well done, kind. The good weird style. Not here to be seen, but to eat. I like that.

After King Clarence, we walked to the Greek Festival, welcomed by Kitty, cook (the real deal) and matriarch from HAM in Cronulla. I loved watching her beautiful grand-daughter, Sul, soaking it all in, the traditional dance, the holding hands together and happily following along in her family's footsteps.

That moment - watching the cultural thread being passed down was the highlight for me. It felt like a privilege to be sharing in their story and the deep connection to their heritage. Simple, I was quiet and i enjoyed it.

King Clarence

The Gift of Good Times

Sarah and Ross gave us a Good Food Gift Card - a thank-you for taking care of their lovely family at HC. It took us to Bella Brutta in Newtown on a Sunday night with Leni.

We kicked things off with Kingfish Crudo. Yes, I know crudo is everywhere in Sydney, but this one stood out because of the blood plum. If prunes or plums are on the menu, I’m ordering them. The zucchini flowers stuffed with crab, which I’d previously sworn off after years of serving them, were good. Then came our pizzas, girl’s choice. Leni picked Mortadella, Fior di Latte, Garlic, Parmesan, loved the Green Olives - smoky and rich, I choose the clam pizza - Surf clams, Pecorino, fermented chilli, garlic, parsley stole the show for me. James too. Next time we’ll try the Cavolo Nero pizza.

We drank an Italian Civitas Pecorino, kind of like a Pinot Gris. Super crisp, with that lovely minerality and just a touch of salinity. It was delicious.

It’s seriously good pizza.

SIDE NOTE: We need a new design for the pizza stand. Practical? Yes. Considered? No. Function and beauty can coexist - Industrial Designers, please.

Rich People’s Food

Next stop, down King Street to Yo-Chi Leni called it "rich people’s frozen yogurt," and depending on how heavy-handed you are, she might be right. It’s all weighed at the end, so if you eat with your eyes, you’ll pay for it. Her plan: chocolate frozen yogurt with chocolate brownies, cookie dough, and Nutella. Holy shit!

But we never got that far.

The place was packed, the lights were blinding, the music was pounding - sensory overload. Leni’s face turned grey, and that was it. We gave up our spot, making everyone behind us a little happier. It wasn’t the frozen yogurt, it was Saturday night’s Lychee Martinis catching up with her. Bella Brutta was enough for one night.

King Street

If you’re not hungover and Yo-Chi isn’t your thing, go to Mapo for gelato - it’s right next door to Bella Brutta. Or try Uncle Tee’s for Japanese crepes stuffed with mango and cream add baked vanilla cheesecake. Too much?

King Street feels like it’s got its energy is back - less empty shops, more people out. Eclectic fashion, resell stores, food - all bringing life back. Pedestrians just outnumber the home delivery scooters, zipping past with pizzas and crepes for people staying in. But I’d rather be out amongst it.

So, if you’re in Newtown, start at Bella Brutta and take your pick for dessert.

EATING MESSINA

Two scoops: Rum & Raisin and Chocolate Fondant. Ridiculously good.

AUTUMN CROP

As the new season settles in, I feel its touch in everything I do. Swimming in the ocean, as the water gets colder, we’ll be rewarded with crystal-clear waters, making the cold morning start worthwhile. So right now, at home we're planting seeds: heirloom carrots in white, purple, and orange, Tuscan cabbage (cavolo nero), purple sprouting broccoli, peas, spearmint, and beetroot.

READING: The Empyrean Series

“here’s to the artists, you hold the power to shape the world”

Rebecca Yarros author of the Empyrean series

Just started this series after Leni, she’s up to book 4, i’m into book 1, Leni did say to me, “can you break up with your boyfriend because you fell in love with a character in a book?

LISTENING: Podcast Hannah Gadsby

"How to Communicate Better" on We Can Do Hard Things is super interesting. Hannah, a comedian, connects to the world through her passions and interests. She says neurotypical people do what’s important, while neurodivergent people do what they find interesting. She’s super intelligent - that’s an autism gift - and very funny.

Her Aussie accent against the American host warms my heart. Do we sound like that?

WATCHING: Wicked

In love with Cynthia Erivo and the way she speaks about playing Elphaba. She explains how every styling choice mattered - pinky rings to signal wealth (her father is the Governor after all!), the subtle hair swipe exposing her neck, revealing more green skin. A quiet but powerful statement: If you have a problem with my colour, that’s on you.

The way we dress and how we project ourselves to the world has real power. It’s why I suddenly want long acrylic nails like Elphaba.

And then there’s Galinda, or Glinda, played by Ariana Grande - she can be as sweet and irresistible as Yo-Chi.

In Australia (for our American readers), you don’t choose your nickname - it’s given to you, and it usually sticks, whether you like it or not.

In our family, we’ve always played around with nick names. Leni to Gleni (before Glinda) to Shlenbot 3000. Jack to Jacko, now Ding, sometimes Charlie’s Dong. Grandma is G Doggy and I’m the Birthgiver, thank you.

But from now on, please, I insist - call me Glisa. IFKYK.

PREDICTING: Whatnot when?

Okay, let's talk about Whatnot because this might be the future of how we clean out our wardrobes together (virtually, but make it fun).

Whatnot is genius online marketplace. Originally built for collectors trading Pokémon cards, it’s now revolutionising re-sale with live auctions for vintage fashion, sneakers, and more.

What makes it special? It’s like hosting a virtual pop-up shop - real people bid in real-time, turning selling into an interactive, community-driven event.

Imagine clearing out your wardrobe (or blokes, having a garage sale) while hosting a live chat show - your friends and followers tune in, chat, bid, and buy.

It’s brilliantly simple, surprisingly engaging, and might just be the future of social commerce.

For Subscribers Only: The Future of Social Commerce

What follows is my in-depth analysis of how Whatnot is revolutionising resale and what it means for the future of social commerce. Drawing from my unique experience in both live real estate auctions and fashion auctions, I'll share insights about why this platform matters and how it might reshape how we think about selling online.

This deep dive is exclusively for my paid subscribers - thank you for your support.