Tag: italian restaurant sydney

A taste of authentic Italy in Sydney at Don Fred

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Imagine stepping into a vibrant, bustling street in Italy, where the air is filled with the tantalising aroma of delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. Now imagine experiencing this right in the heart of Sydney. Welcome to Don Fred, the newest gem on King Street in Newtown, that’s redefining the city’s culinary landscape. Opening its doors in February 2023, Don Fred has carved out a unique niche in Sydney’s food scene, offering a 100% plant-based menu that doesn’t compromise on the classic Italian flavours we all adore. The mastermind behind this innovative concept is Lorenzo Petrachi, former Restaurant Manager of Gigi Pizzeria, who has poured his passion and expertise into creating a dining experience like no other. As you walk into Don Fred, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight into a classic 1970s Paninoteca Bar in New York. The design choices are a nod to Petrachi’s Uncle Alfredo’s journey from Italy to New York in the early 60s, where he opened his own panino shop in the Bronx after overcoming numerous personal adversities. The burnt yellow walls, authentic Italian tiles, and brown timber tables resonate with the nostalgia of a bygone era, creating an ambience that’s both inviting and enchanting. But Don Fred is not just about aesthetics. Quality is at the heart of everything they do. Every ingredient used is ethically sourced and as fresh as can be, ensuring that customers enjoy the best plant-based alternatives available in the market. Petrachi sources local produce and ingredients, but also stays true to his Italian roots by… Read More

Underrated Italian gem I Maccheroni has a new home in Woollahra Sydney

Maccheroni restaurant

If love were tangible, it would be found in the form of the perfectly pillowy spinach tortelli with burnt butter, crispy sage, and Parmigiano Reggiano at I Maccheroni. Formerly located in Rose Bay, the Italian diner is now situated just off Oxford Street on Woollahra’s Jersey Road. Owned and helmed by ex-Otto and Pendolino chef Marcello Farioli who hails from Modena, Italy, I Maccheroni serves up high-quality, unpretentious, seasonal, homemade Italian fare. The menu focuses on Italian staples and is continually changing, however, there are a few mainstays. The aforementioned divine spinach tortelli, as well as a mushroom arancini, and a tiramisu. Naturally, there’s also always a maccheroni option on offer, with this constantly rotating. With a commitment to seasonal dining, I Maccheroni always has blackboard specials in addition to the regular menu (if you’re lucky enough to visit on a day when the Cacio e Pepe is on offer, this is a must-order dish!). Open for dinner Monday to Saturday, with lunch on Saturdays, the two-level Woollahra joint is a homely yet elevated experience. The venue is a step up from the former long-tabled communal dining setting of the Rose Bay location; I Maccheroni in Woollahra spans two levels and features a bar, upstairs function or dining space, and more intimate small table seating options, all in a fine-dining worthy grey, blue and timber setting. Unlike its former location, I Maccheroni in Woollahra is now fully licensed, and features a substantial wine list with bottles hailing from both Italy and Australia, as well as… Read More