Bondi Local | Andrew Crabbe
Our very first Bondi Local Profile back in August 2015 was this one of Andrew Crabbe. The big storms of late and the resultant closure of the pool has reminded us not only about the primacy of nature, but also of the need to support our local businesses through thick and thin. The pool may be temporarily closed … but the café is still there, serving locals with a quality combo platter of food, beverage and seaside attitude. Keep going!
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Bondi Local | Andrew Crabbe
Andrew Crabbe is the owner of The Crabbe Hole, a cafe at the Bondi Icebergs that is wedged between the gym and the sauna on the deck overlooking the pool. We met Andrew when we were running the Ben Buckler shopfront version of REMO back in 2003, but he had been a REMO “CustOMER” for many years prior to that. These days Andrew is a bellowing fixture at the South end of Bondi. He’s also one of our daughter Lola’s bosses. Whenever she’s back in Sydney she loves to do some shifts back at The Crabbe Hole. It’s not just the position, it’s also the people.
Melanie caught up with Andrew poolside this morning, thereby delivering him the dubious honour of being our first ever subject for the BFD Local Profile.
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Andrew, what’s your back story?
My day job was acting and writing, but my go-to job during lean times was always to work in cafés. One day at the gym [at the Bondi Icebergs] I noticed a sign on the door, written for the café operator, that read “If you want to get your stuff out , see the supervisor.” I had been looking for a place to set up a café. It was my lucky day! I don’t think there’s a better location in the world.
Why Bondi?
I live in Tamarama. I’ve always lived in and around Bondi. I lived on Mitchell Street as a student. My first child Sam was born in North Bondi. I’ve always felt very comfortable in Bondi. It’s a place for “millionaires and paupers.” I’ve always felt part of the place.
Describe your work
My work is to provide quality food and beverage to the cognoscenti of Bondi, The Crabbe Hole is a funny place – in a club, next to the gym. It’s a melting pot of people who want to be placated. It’s one of the draw cards (the agony and the ecstasy) - you meet some really interesting people; and also one of the downsides - you meet some really “interesting" people!
What are you excited about right now?
I’m excited about children and nurturing and figuring out how to create a better world for them to move into.
One of the things I’m very keen on here is sustainability and making conscious decisions in that regard. When you start delving into that you realise how far you can go. Very exciting. It has a lot to do with the location. We are where the ocean meets the land, where billions of years ago we crawled out of the sea. Other than a few more Meriton signs, not much has changed. It fosters your nurturing senses.
What’s left to do?
Make the perfect boiled egg … and watch the boys grow into fine young men and for us to give them every opportunity that they deserve.
Where do you eat and drink in Bondi?
With kids, The Tratt [Bondi Trattoria]. Nothing beats it. Always good, always friendly, fantastic, great atmosphere. And just down the hill from us. It’s a bit of an institution. I’ve been going for 25 years, since it opened. Back then it was beers at sunset, now it’s margarita pizza and “can I have a pistachio ice-cream please daddy?”
For Sarah and I, we’re spoilt for choice these days. I do like going to Sefa Kitchen – really, really good. Changing menu.
We also like a drink at Panama House, and we go to Sean’s if we’re feeling saucy. Nothing like it. It’s witnessed the changing face of our dining. Pre children it was a swim at North Bondi then a wander past Sean’s and think maybe we should just go there! Now it’s a sneaky margharita before the kids’ bath time!
What are you reading?
Cookbooks – a hazard of the job! Fave go-to is Ottolenghi – beautiful – you can read the love. There is so much respect for the ingredients and that is something I have here. At the café the food is simple but everything we do is the best we can get. It’s a simple but sound philosophy.
What are you watching?
We just binged on Game of Thrones! We watched the whole of the last season over two nights. I remember nothing but I know people died and people lived and that I enjoyed the experience! There were dwarves and dragons and everything in between.
What’s your personal motto?
I don’t have a personal motto but when I think about mottos I think of Breaker Morant. “Live each day as though it were your last for some day you’re sure to be right”.
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Full interview on SoundCloud below or HERE
