Sydney's Fratelli Fresh Providores Straordinario!!

Darlings, as you well know, La Diva had the most divine time while visiting her beloved Sydney, Australia recently. And, being the wino AND the foodie that I am, it's only natural that La Diva's nearest and dearest succumb to the myriad culinary delights of the city as well.

Enter Mama G, my dear friend, new mom, wine rep, partner in crime and lover of life in general who picked me up on my second day in town and whisked me to one of Sydney's hottest lunch spots: Café Sopra at Fratelli Fresh.

Once full of warehouses and now considered Sydney's burgeoning arts district, Fratelli Fresh resides in an old printer's building in the Sydney city suburb of Waterloo. The first floor boasts fresh produce, exquisite Italian cheeses and ciabatta bread.

Fratelli Fresh is quite an interesting joint. Known for supplying local restaurants with exquisite fresh and local produce, this Italian grocery store cum cooking school cum restaurant is truly a gastronome's gem. Founded back in 2004 by New Zealand native, restauranteur and online grocery entrepreneur Barry McDonald, the wholesale end of the business supplies over 80 chefs with top notch produce and products from Italy as well as running the retail outlet for Sydney's gourmands. You can read more about Baz's story and the beginnings of Fratelli Fresh here.

View of the first floor produce section. Go on and click on the photo, darlings, you know you want to see more!

Upstairs, there is a fantastic selection of risotto, faro, pastas, canned tomatoes, olive oils and just about anything a lover of Italian products would swoon over. The Fratelli Fresh website allows locals to order anything from the store online and also has information on what's fresh and in season. Click here to find out!

Sponsored by Electrolux, Fratelli Fresh offers FREE cooking classes. What La Diva wouldn't do to get some kitchen digs like this for my "small bites, BIG DRINKS" classes!

Known simply as "Nonna," this true Italian grandma shows La Diva how she makes her meat-stuffed ravioli for lunch at Café Sopra, of course. When it's gone, it's off the menu! Click on the photo to see Nonna in action!

The menu for the café is written in chalk on a huge blackboard against the wall and is full of Italian classics such as Lamb Ragu, Vitello Tonnato and Panzanella. Click on any photo to see more detail!

Mama G doesn't get out much and it's been YEARS since we saw each other so we heartily enjoyed a number of courses (all with the appropriate wines, natch!) but started off with a refreshing Campari and freshly-squeezed blood orange juice along with tender tiny zucchini flowers stuffed with five cheeses and deep-fried. Mmmmm...delicioso!!!

Going to Sydney anytime soon, darlings? Check out Fratelli Fresh in their new location in Potts Point, click here for both locations' retail and cafe hours.

Ciao!

(This post is dedicated to Amanda whom I miss and love dearly!!! Grazie molto, mama!)cooking class, cocktails, parties, cocktail party, Miami, coral gables, events, bartending class, cocktail class, Laura Lafata, Miami Beach, miami cooking classes, bachelorette parties, bachelorette party