Anyone who lives in Redfern knew Pron Prohm – that three-decade-old oddly kitsch Thai restaurant, tucked away above a kebab shop on Redfern Street. Late last year it quietly closed, before moving to North Strathfield. For one local resident, David Jank, its relocation was bittersweet. The co-owner of Arcadia and Redfern Continental often frequented the restaurant for pad thai.

“It played a big role in my Redfern experience. We often went for food but also to celebrate. We all had birthday parties there. When it became available, I just had to have it,” Jank says.

Joined by Brett and Susie Pritchard, he has managed to retain much of the restaurant’s old kitschy charm, while completely overhauling its offering. At Ron’s Upstairs, Thai has been switched out for Mediterranean cuisine. “Part of the reason we took it was because we wanted to maintain it as a really classic space. It was a nightmare to think someone would come in and change it.”

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Kim Fasher’s redesign doesn’t mess too much with the original space – wooden walls are still covered in faded-blue photos and antique wallpapers retain botanic patterns.

In terms of change, the red velvet carpet has been half ripped up to show floorboards below (it will stay carpeted around the bar), Thai images have been replaced with more kitsch European imagery and fake grape vines, and the kitchen has had a complete makeover. “At Redfern Continental [we take] a broad umbrella of the European theme. This will be localised to the Mediterranean – Greek, Spanish, Italian. That sort of stuff,” says Jank.

The incoming menu will hang its hat on rotisserie meats. “It’ll be a good balance of fish and meat. We’re not trying to win any hats. We just want to give Redfern what they want to eat .”

The bar, which will have its own separate standing section for drinks only, will serve classic cocktails, a short wine list, potentially with some Greek bottles, as well as some tapped wines and beer. “The main thing is that we want this place to be fun. We want to continue the tradition of having big tables and parties really. That was so important to us in the old space.”

Ron’s Upstairs is slated to open early July.