Glenayr on Blair

By Joel Bevilacqua on August 10, 2020 in Food

The Fletch, massive and delicious. Photo: Bryan Fletcher

For those who do not know me, I am not an Eastern suburbs local. Before I moved here and became a revered food critic, I was born and raised in the rugged wilderness of Hobart, Tasmania. Before David Walsh erected the world-famous MONA Museum and kick-started the city’s cultural revolution, my home was a simple place of simple tastes.
After four years of living in the Eastern Suburbs, my style and culinary tastes have changed somewhat. Now, whenever I order my usual soy latte back home, it gives rise to sniggers and scoffs from my mates. But I like to think I’ve retained a little bit of my honest upbringing, and perhaps that is why I am so excited about the opening of Glenayr on Blair, a fantastic little sandwich shop specialising in fresh, hearty sandwiches at reasonable prices.
A word of advice: don’t go in there and ask for gluten-free or rye bread (white and brown are the only options available). No offence to the gluten intolerant, but this place just isn’t for you. Glenayr on Blair is for people looking for a good, honest feed that is both delicious and filling.
Owner Daniel Weinstein explains that he opened the shop because he saw a gap in the market for lunchtime options in the area that fit this criterion. He had also heard that Reddam House School had shut down their canteen and that the senior students were allowed to leave school at lunch to hunt for food.
When I was visiting, a bunch of Reddam boys came in and ordered their usuals from the specials board. Many of the sandwiches featured are named after special people in Weinstein’s life. Three of these are good mates who he met during his Waverley College days. ‘The Rawso’ (poached chicken, basil pesto, avocado, beetroot, zucchini, eggplant and roast carrot) is a tribute to the much-loved former Paddington Colt, Shane Rawson, who sadly passed away four years ago. ‘The Cheg’ (chermulah chicken, harissa mayo, hummus, cucumber, roast capsicum, roast carrot coriander, and lettuce) is named after Michael Chegwidden, who also sadly passed away shortly after the boys finished school. ‘The Fletch’, named after former Rabbitoh and Rooster Bryan Fletcher, is fittingly filled with beef brisket, house mayo, Swiss cheese, pickles, and coleslaw. ‘The Aria’ (butter and vegemite, $4) and the ‘The Jade’ (chicken schnitzel and cheese, $5) are named after Weinstein’s daughters. If you’re picky, you can also create your own.
Being a fan of The Matty Johns Show, I decided to tuck into The Fletch. It’s a big feed to say the least – bloody tasty as well – and at just $13 you can see why the school kids have picked Glenayr on Blair as their new lunchtime spot. The $9 coffee and bacon and egg roll deal has also proved popular with the tradies.
I may have lied a little bit earlier. Glenayr on Blair also do salads, but even these are fuss-free. It is a set salad, and all you have to do is choose what meat you want. Options include chicken schnitzel, chermulah or poached chicken, tuna, and smoked salmon.
Despite the salads looking the goods, I will be sticking with the sandwich when I return. It might be the bread-stealing convict blood that runs through my veins, but I am of the strong belief that it is very hard to beat a big, fresh, hearty sandwich.

Glenayr on Blair
85 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi
Facebook Glenayr on Blair
Instagram glenayronblair
Phone 0478 072 201
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-3pm
Prices Sandwich Specials $13, Salads $12-$15
Cards Master, Visa, Amex
Licensed No