Clayton Wells's new venue A1 Canteen coming to Kensington Street

Clayton Wells's brain child Automata is expecting a new sibling in 2018, to be called A1 Canteen.

Just steps away from her two-hatted sister on Kensington Street, the canteen will be snuggled comfortably into the ground floor of The Old Rum Store.

The canteen's namesake is Chippendale's historic brewery building, formerly known as A1. The old-world charm of its brick facade attracted Wells: "We've been waiting for the right space to open something permanent. Finding a site directly across the road from Automata is a dream."

A1 will be keeping diners up on weeknights and throughout the day, serving breakfast and lunch. Outfitted by Matt Darwon, and led in the kitchen by Wells and Scott Eddington, the venue will be serving more than simple takeaway coffee, salads, pastries and sandwiches.

Teaming with LP's Quality Meats, and offering cocktails and a small wine list, A1's diverse offerings include dragon fruit with yoghurt and rosemary oil, roasted flounder with espelette pepper and fried curry leaves, or smoked sardines with caper berries, turnips and radishes.

Food lovers who've already experienced Wells's breed of dining at his pop-up Auto.Lab will know what to expect: innovative food, without the high prices.

Wells said his casual concept for A1 has been in gestation for "well over a year now". We'll be sure to supply further details as soon as she pops out.

A1 Canteen will open on Kensington Street in early 2018.