nlike the original late ‘60s car/truck hybrid (think El Camino) of which this Aussie resto was christened, this Kingswood has got the looks. And the smarts. And can dish out killer cuisine. Otherwise, it wouldn’t get away with being just a little annoying (annoyance: the deciding factor if a relationship should continue by which no brains, beauty and culinary skill trifecta can ever trump).

Just like that never-on-time friend who occasionally flakes out but you nevertheless still want to hang out with, The Kingswood exhibits a few opening jitters. It’s supposed to be open on Sundays, only sometimes it isn’t. Dinner is supposed to start at 6:00pm, but at our 6:30pm arrival we were informed that though drinks were feasible, dinner couldn’t be served until 7:00pm. Sigh....

Hopefully these little things, although irksome (especially for those that live for punctuality), will be remedied in time, but don’t let the flakiness keep you from The Kingswood (the ladies still flocked to Henry the VIII despite his penchant for decapitation). Once you actually do get inside and sit down, the experience is lovely.

Like any person who enjoys the occasional alcoholic bevvie, a large bar is an exciting feature in a resto. However, dining with a companion in the lighting field provided a different perspective on the space; more specifically the cool choice of light bulbs and awesome light boxes making up the back wall of the dining room. The peacock- and- flora decorative element illuminated by said boxes, and the subtle smattering of faux butterflies on the ceiling was equally exciting for me. Not quite that kitsch, it rather subdued. An open space and hardwood floors and tables leave the dining room with an overall clean and natural feeling.