Up above the ruckus of Miller Street, they’re creating some commotion of their own at Treehouse Hotel, and it’s just the pep that North Sydney needed. Taking over the old Victoria Cross venue, there’s a mergence indoor and outdoor atmosphere here. Beach umbrellas in primary colours provide extra cover for sun-up out on the balcony, while garden gnomes hold table numbers and climbing vines and planter boxes divide alcoves and nooks.

But just in case it was sounding a little too secret garden, Treehouse has a few other accents on offer. There’s 50s kitsch (diner stools, Coke signs and cow-hide) and providore crates bedecking the wholesome-looking open kitchen. It’s eclectic in a practiced sort of way, but coming from the team that brought us Arthouse Hotel in the CBD, they’ve had plenty practice before unveiling this nice update.

The menu is thoughtful and satisfying with Kangaroo Island free-range eggs, shared charcuterie plates with terrine and aged jamon, jerk chicken sandwiches or orecchiette pasta with Hawkesbury calamari – all thanks to chef David Maisey (Arthouse Hotel). But it’s not all food. Just enough sparkle from the mismatched lighting and industrial lampshades make a great bar mood too. Indeed, there’s an unmistakably bowerbird feel to this Treehouse.