Kansas City Shuffle

The phrase “Kansas City Shuffle” refers to a gangster’s trick – a game of conning and misdirection. But at this cafe and bar in The Rocks, there is far less deception afoot. Kansas City Shuffle is by cafe and dining experts (previously Joe Black and Rose Bay Diner) and chef Kayne Mordini (of Melbourne’s Proud Mary).

Mordini’s menu includes an ice-cold acai smoothie bowl with house granola and coconut yoghurt. There’s a fried-chicken sandwich on a donut bun with slaw, pickles and jalapeno aioli, and Kansas City Shuffle-style beef brisket and waffles with smoked chilli butter and a poached egg.

Housed on the ground floor of the former Cadbury Chocolate factory, the space is divided in two; the cafe and a bar and function space. Two takeaway-windows open onto Gloucester Street and offer white, black, filter, cold drip and magic styles (a Melbourne-style double ristretto topped with milk in a small, 150-mililitre cup).

Inside the cafe there is a curved bar built from recycled oak, a floating light sculpture and lime-coloured half-circle booths. Sweeten designed and built the interior with his brother, furniture designer Jimmy Sweeten.