It’s often said that it takes a local’s perspective to truly understand a suburb and recognise its potential. This has certainly been the case for Carly Electric and Channey Fell who were having breakfast at Highline when the eagle-eyed pair caught a glimpse of a ‘For Lease’ sign in the window of Palm Beach’s long-standing kebab shop. Fast-forward three months and the green facade (and aroma of onion) has been replaced by neon pink, corrugated iron and graffiti-style artwork by local Palm Beach artist Timmi Fresh. The Hood is friendly and welcoming and you can’t help but smile when you’re there. In the immortal words of Madonna “just let the music set you free”. The menu has been crafted with a hyperlocal ethos to showcase some of the incredible things made in and around Palm Beach. The bites, for example, are prepped by their pals down the road at Burgster and finished on-site – think tequila-soaked margarita wings, arancini and meatballs, while the pickle that sits atop the bloody Mary is made in Burleigh. The cocktail selection is equally as succinct and features a rosemary-infused gin with passionfruit (that’s the Hood Pash, just in case you were wondering), and a locally made jam-infused strawberry negroni. Fun fact, Channey is also a trained sommelier so you can bet your bottom dollar that the venue’s wine list is a bonafide banger and showcases a tightly curated selection of biodynamic and boutique producers, whether your preference is an easy-drinking savvy b or a punchy pet nat.