Flocking to Nest on a beautiful corner of Bungendore

Posted on 2 February, 2021

Get ready for a new destination point in Bungendore, where the food is hearty, the shopping is luxe, and dogs and kids are not only welcomed, but encouraged.

For years, Eric Dangerfield gazed at the historic Carrington Inn in downtown Bungendore and thought of all the possibilities its old brick walls held.

It is, after all, the cornerstone building of the historic village, having been established in 1885 as the Cobb and Co Coach Inn.

While the Inn side of the operation is still operating 28 accomodation rooms, the restaurant which used to enjoy a position as a fine dining institution worth travelling from Canberra for, sadly closed a few years ago.

And the formerly busy corner was feeling neglected and irrelevant.

As the former owner of Bungendore’s Café Wood Works, which is just across the road, Eric watched the main building slide into disuse.

The ideas of turning the Carrington back into a central meeting, eating and drinking spot would not leave his mind. And when his wife Vanessa lamented the lack of quality shopping prospects in Bungendore, the decision to reignite life into Carrington and add in a new boutique became too much to ignore.

Cut to today and the Dangerfields have spent months restoring the high-ceilinged rooms, painting, polishing, redecorating and bringing the historic building back to life.

Only this time with a vastly different feel.

“Flock at the Carrington” which is the restaurant, bar and beer garden, and “Nest at the Carrington” which is the shop, are light, bright, airy and fresh. Gone are the heavy drapes, and dark paintings. While Flock still boasts three private rooms, seating between 6-12 diners which retain their period features including a majestic pressed tin ceiling and ornate fireplaces perfect for a special dinner on a winter’s eve, everything has been given a thorough freshen up.

The main dining room has light walls and sun streams in the windows onto several leather booths. The Australiana bird theme carries through from the name of the venues to the large artworks on the walls.

 

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Vanessa also now has her wish of providing luxe homewares to the public with a focus on locally and sustainably-made products from brands including Seljak, Sol Seekers, Notely, Myrtle and Moss, Bonnie and Neil, Ink and Spindle, Cuptain Planet and Earth Toys. Smelling as delicious as its candles and botanical products on sale, Nest takes out one of the larger rooms facing the Kings Highway.

Vanessa is proud of establishing Nest, which reflects her previous careers in fashion retail in Sydney and London.

Meanwhile, Eric is particularly happy to open the doors on what is arguably one of the largest beer gardens and outdoor eating areas in the region.

Seating for over 150 the beer garden has enough space for bocce, croquet, a giant chess set and there are rambling gardens to wander as you sip your G&T on a Sunday afternoon. It is the perfect spot for a large gatherings including weddings.

This too, is a haven for dogs, who are much-loved by Eric, Vanessa and their staff.

Dogs even have their own entrance to the venue.

“We wanted to create a very open and accessible place, somewhere for families to come and spend time, to eat and drink, and hang out with friends, and somewhere which not only tolerates kids and dogs, but which encourages them,” said Eric.

 

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Aware that Bungendore is often a pit stop for families en route to or from the South Coast, he said he wanted Flock to be the place where “you feel welcome to stop at when you have had a long drive, you need to stretch your legs, you need a coffee, the kids need the toilet and the dog needs a drink!”

Unlike establishments which hurry diners through strict sittings, the couple want Flock to be a place to come for a coffee or a beer and where people feel encouraged to stay a while.

Of course, they also hope to tempt many a happy customer with a menu cooked by the fresh new kitchen team including chefs Joshua Huxtable—previously at Aubergine, and Eschalot in Berrima—and Madelyn Warren, previously at Pialligo Estate.   

Firm favourites already include fish or eggplant tacos, burgers and beef ribs, the menu has been expanded to include salmon on crispy kipflers, roast chicken on a bed of quinoa, roast beetroot salad and grazing plate, as well as the popular kid’s menu.

And while the food offerings are fairly broad, Eric says they aim to be a step up from pub food. He even has plans to set up a preserves label using local fruit and produce in much the same way the Lynwood Café drew adoring crowds for its chutneys and jams when it operated out of Collector.

And finally, we need to note the bar. True to its heritage as an inn, Flock takes full advantage of the long and delightfully traditional bar that flanks one wall. It is surely a place to enjoy a drink with friends before settling in for a meal. If the walls could talk there would be some stories to tell.

 

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In keeping with their focus on sustainability, Eric and Vanessa are stocking three wines on tap to cut down on bottle use. Capital Brewing beer is also on tap, while the alcohol menu will feature as many locally brewed, fermented and distilled products as possible.

It’s early days yet and having barely been open for a month, Eric is still finessing his menus as well as devising plans for pop-up events, collaborations and live music on the weekends.

But so far the reaction from locals has been heartening.

“It’s been wonderful to see people put their heads in the door and see their eyes light up,” said Eric.

And traffic has ramped up speedily now word has got around that the Carrington is alive and serving food, drink and old-fashioned hospitality once again.