Warm and welcoming, Fred’s, on Paddington’s bustling Oxford Street, feels like you’ve stepped into a friend’s rustic country home – the natural setting for head chef Danielle Alvarez’s signature farm-to-table cooking.
There’s something of rural Provence about this likeable spot, with its pastel-clad waiters and flagged floors.
Rustic wooden counters separate the open kitchen from the dining area and the whole restaurant unfurls from an enormous hearth, where a mostly female team create produce-driven, Mediterranean triumphs.
Precision and seasonality (honed during her time at The French Laundry) are the hallmarks of Danielle Alvarez’s menus.
Grilled rack of lamb with wine grapes has become something of a signature. A drinks list focusing on small producers and exceedingly convivial atmosphere explain why this restaurant gets booked out weeks in advance.
From the service to the produce, the magic is in the details. All of the meat and seafood Danielle sources is sustainably farmed and fished.
The pasta is made from organic local wheat and semolina flours and the crème fraiche is house-made using organic local cream.
Showcasing the integrity of the freshest local ingredients – think handmade cavatelli with rabbit and peas, leg of lamb "a la ficelle" with laverbread, broad beans and mint.
Or even rhubarb and beaumes de venise mille feuille – Head Chef Danielle Alvarez and her team cook on free standing Tuscan grills and a custom made hearth to elevate produce to its fullest potential.
Kick off with cocktails at the front bar—try Fred’s Gimlet made with eucalyptus, Plymouth gin, and lemon, then pair your meal with wine by the bottle or glass.
From niche local and European small-batch labels. Craft beers, ciders, and sake are also available, as are non-alcoholic distilled spirit Seedlip cocktails.
The wine list features the full spectrum of classic wines but also lesser known regions and varieties. Carefully tailored to complement Danielle’s farm-to-table philosophy.
It highlights small growers who care deeply about their impact on the land they care take. Every wine has been selected for a reason, whether it’s minimal intervention, organic or biodynamic. Video Credit: Merivale Image Credit: Fred's Facebook Page
a. 380 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021, Australia
e. Restaurant.Reservations@merivale.com
