Palm Beach in Sydney was an odd choice of location for a French bistro, and it seems visitors to the seaside resort gave the former business a Gallic shrug. Now good old Uncle Cranky has moved in with an altogether more relaxed Aussie proposition and everything looks a good deal more beachy. Cranky Fins Holidae Inn, a painted weatherboard shack, throws out a line with a promise of “live bait and cold provisions”, but instead of mealworms the buckets here come full of beer battered fish and chips or tiger prawns.
The design of Cranky’s is down to Studio-Gram, who had just seven weeks from initial conception to job done; the agency worked with creative director Mash and Peninsula Projects’ builders, and with little time for formal documentation, much of the design and build strategy evolved on site. This approach suits the ethos of the place, with its laid-back beach shack vibes. The décor mixes a background of sun-bleached pastel tones with a full-on dose of bright colours, augmented by surfy wall murals and an endlessly diverting supply of beachcomber knick-knacks and curios.
Photography, Francoise Baudet
