“There are some days when we just can’t fit everyone in,” says Vince Estacio, chef and co-owner of Naïm Restaurant in Paddington. 

Regulars will be pleased to know that while Estacio and business partner B.J Wall briefly considered abandoning their Collingwood Street premises for something larger beyond the ‘burb, they found a solution to their popularity problem by expanding instead.

The pair have taken over the heritage-listed former French furniture shop across the road. Slated to open next Thursday, (March 16) “The Hamsa Room,” an intimate 27-seater, will serve as both support act to Naïm and solo performer, operating as bar, function and events space. 

“We really love this neighbourhood and vice versa,” Estacio says, “so when this spot became available, we thought how amazing it would be to engage this side of Paddington; to do something for locals. Because, while there’s a lot going happening on lower Given Terrace after 5pm, here it’s just us.”  

Related review: Nota has reopened – and it’s bigger and better than ever 

Estacio and Wall have incorporated familiar design elements from Naïm, such as the Moroccan-look tiles and added a bar and shelving to the former shop. There’s no kitchen, but some of the favourites from the Middle-Eastern/Mediterranean-skewed Naïm will be available, ferried by staff across the road, along with Hamsa’s own drink-friendly snack plates; from Riser sourdough with black tahini butter, cheeses and charcuterie to harissa-spiked prawns with ajo blanco and pickled chilli, and Tassie oysters with zhug and a chermoula sauce. And, as at Naïm, vegans have been generously considered, with vegan cheeses, boards, dips and even dessert – a cashew cheesecake with peach coulis and ginger crumble. 

“It’s designed to be approachable and flexible, whether you come for a drink and few snacks or you want a full meal,” Estacio says of Hamsa. 

Hamsa’s drinks list features boutique “bubbles,” from Champagne Collet, to a Tasmanian pet nat and a Victorian Prosecco, while a host of low-fi wines roam Australia. There are also cocktails and more than a dozen different craft beers, including two on tap.

Abstainers and dry-July-ers haven’t been neglected either, with a comprehensive collection of non-alcoholic wines, beers and mocktails, in addition to an on-tap kombucha. 

Initially, The Hamsa Room, (the name, also a motif at Naïm, references a symbol believed, by both Jewish and Muslim faiths to offer protection and strength) will be open for brunch on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and from Thursday to Saturday after 4pm, with evenings extending to include Tuesday and Wednesday after the first month.

The Hamsa Room
Thur-Sat 4pm-late, Sun 12pm-5pm
Fri-Sat 11am-2:30pm
naimrestaurant.com.au

Related review: This decade-old all-day eatery is here to stay