Where Chefs Eat: Pop-Up Duo Pomme Know a Topnotch Bondi Hole in the Wall

Pomme is the pop-up kitchen duo comprising Masterchef alum Lily Davies and Jack Alexander, owner of Paddington cafe The Bonython. And they like nothing more than cooking beautiful, simple dishes and sharing them around a table.

“I like to think food found me,” Alexander tells Broadsheet. “By chance, my first job was as a pot washer in my village pub, which you could say sparked my interest in food, moving on to countless hours watching Jamie Oliver as a teenager and cooking for my uni mates in student halls. My move to Australia in 2015 really got me excited about food in a new way – cooking for my friends and family is my love language – so starting Pomme was a no-brainer.”

Once a paediatric nurse, Davies – who has a Cordon Bleu-trained mum – submitted a “rogue” application to Masterchef, hitting our screens in 2024. “Truly, I expected nothing, but was incredibly fortunate to be selected. After that and a badly timed redundancy – not that there’s a good time – Jack and I decided that now was the time to jump, and here we are. Bringing our food, which definitely has a British feel to it, to Sydney.”

Next month, Pomme are popping up at Darlinghurst’s Rainbow Studios, hosting a leisurely afternoon pie party in the little art gallery especially for Broadsheet ’s debut Dine Out festival.

On Sunday August 17, you’ll be greeted with a drink, before finding your spot on a communal table. Two golden pies will hit the table, ready to be sliced up and shared alongside a buttery mash, greens and gravy aplenty. Plus, a bar stocked by the legends at P&V, and a decidedly English dessert.

Before that, find out where Davies and Alexander dine around Sydney.

Quick takeaway dinner
Alexander: Bella Bruta in Newtown. The dough has the perfect balance of chew, lightness and char all at the same time. It’s usually a toss-up between the clam with fermented chilli or the potato and gorgonzola, but I add guanciale. Honourable mention: 1919 Beef Lanzhou, get
the wide noodles.

Ideal date
Alexander: I went to Paradise in Potts Point recently, the newest addition to the guys behind Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William St, and absolutely loved it. They have a small, ever-changing blackboard menu supported by a great drinks list. The room has a wonderfully early-2000s nostalgic feel about it. Order the soup if it’s on. Also, the bread and butter slaps.

Davies: Hard question – it depends on if it’s planned or whimsical. I always love Jane, and if my partner can clock off in time, maximising on the Australiano Hour is a total bonus ($10 wines and some native nibbles). We often head to Raw Bar in Bondi, it’s local to us and ideal for a quick bite – the eggplant with sweet-miso dressing is an absolute must.

Special occasion
Davies: I adore Sean’s in Bondi. I feel like I’m eating in someone’s home, with simple food done so well. The sign that says “glorified home-cooking” couldn’t preach more about how I feel about our cooking. Unfussy but done really well. A bottle of red, BYO if we have something special at home. From the three-course [menu] I’m ordering a simple and light starter, leaning into the homemade warm bread with shedloads of salted butter, and if there’s no chicken I’m heading in a fish direction. For dessert, I’m going for a fruit-focused option if there is one or something involving ice-cream, and hope whoever I am with orders the cheese plate.

A shoutout has to go to Porkfat though. That whole fried barramundi is just next level and Jack the owner [and] head chef is the most lovely man.

Snack and a drink
Davies: L’Avant Cave in Paddington. Nik Hill from Porcine is a wizard and I want to eat everything he makes. For a pre-dinner snack, I’m ordering an orange wine with a little soupçon from Nik’s repertoire, made even better by the most friendly staff.

Big group
Alexander: Maya Da Dhaba on Cleveland Street has been a favourite spot for my friends and I for as long as I’ve been in Australia. A family-run Indian restaurant delivering all the classics and more. Coming from the UK, where curry is pretty much a way of life, Maya Da Dhaba fills that void and then some. The minute you walk through the door, the smell and the atmosphere immediately grab your attention – red carpet on the floor, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, it’s like eating in someone’s living room.

Not to mention the very reasonable price-point and BYO. The tandoori chicken is out of this world, and make sure you order the Punjabi baigan (an unbelievable eggplant and potato curry).

Davies: Olympic Meats in Marrickville is wicked. The smell of the grill whilst cooking is enough to make you happy to queue. Grab a variety of meats, sourdough pita, pickles and lean in – it is just so good. Watch the meat spinning and do not miss the pickled octopus with green chilli.

Bucket list restaurant
Davies: I am heading to Sargasso in Margate [UK] in September and am unbelievably excited. I have followed their food for a long time.

Alexander: I’m almost embarrassed to say this, but I’ve never been to the London institution St John. I’ve followed owner Fergus Henderson for a long time now and I adore the simplicity of everything they do. Next time I’m home, I’ll be sure to make the pilgrimage.

Hidden gem
Davies: Roy’s in Bondi. It’s so local, you basically feel like you’re sitting in his home bar. A true hole in the wall – with the best spiced nuts, meatball subs and happy hour Margs. We’ve celebrated a lot of major moments there – we even came up with the name for Pomme over
Friday beers.

Top late-night snack after a Pomme event
Alexander: A cheese quesadilla. My partner grew up in Los Angeles, so it was always the go-to family snack and one that we quickly adopted into our household. Plenty of chew, melted cheese and toastiness – it must be cut into triangles and dipped in Frank’s Hot Sauce.

Pomme’s pie party hits Rainbow Studios on Sunday August 17, exclusively as part of Broadsheet’s Dine Out festival. Tickets essential.