The Thousands

Unless you have been living under an especially large rock for the past few years, you’ve probably noticed the sudden abundance of swanky grocers dotted around the city. And hell, I’m all for it, because quite frankly, I don’t want eat an apple that was picked six months ago and has been sitting in a deep freeze ever since.

Slightly smaller than its elder siblings, Fratelli Fresh Walsh Bay employs the same providore-cum-café formula that struck gold in Waterloo and Potts Point. It’s an altogether familiar affair with shelves of rustic wooden crates brimming with packham pears, ruby red grapefruits and porcini mushrooms accompanied by aged balsamics, stuffed quails and an array of other gastronomic delights.

After passing through the aisles of fresh seasonal produce, Café Sopra awaits with whitewashed sandstone walls, red lacquered columns and a menu to make even the most seasoned connoisseur salivate. Like most good Italian cooking, it is the simple combination of robust and fresh flavours to create dishes that celebrate each unique ingredient.

With each incarnation, Fratelli tailor the offering to fit the individual locale. This time round, some of the earthy charm that characterised previous ventures has been whittled away in favour of a polished eatery sure to delight the growing Walsh Bay community.