Sydney CBD

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King Clarence – Sydney, City – Thursday 13 March 2025 – Dinner

It’s a secret. I really enjoy dining solo. I get some weird looks. The rest are curious.

It is still a challenge. I plan. Sometimes only twenty minutes prior. Like tonight. Sometimes I’ve had the venue on my list for years. 

I’ve just had a terrific cocktail at Old Mate’s Place; a fantastic bar with a small rooftop. A couple are stalking my table. They figuratively attack another couple for the table next to mine as it is vacated. Assertions are made. They had in fact not been there longer. Defeated, the aggressors leave.

I congratulated the couple for not giving up their table under false pretences. Several moments later I’m on the bar at King Clarence. Dining solo having agreed with the manager to be quick.

As a sign that service is great here, I’m quickly told that arrangements had been made for me to relax and stay a bit longer. I was still out within an hour as planned. Quick service, quick dish delivery, and personal speediness all played their necessary parts.

The only weakness in service is the clearly sniffly taller person on the floor who was either unwell, or extremely satisfied with their product. As I try to work it out, my perfect fish finger bao snack arrives, exhibiting smacks of flavour. 

The KC Fried Rice lived up to the hype I had generated in my own mind. It was Aru quality, with the luminescent fish eggs adorning an assortment of delicous seafood, and evenly fried, rice goodness.

To finish I not only downed my second glass of superb Petit Chablis for the reasonable price of $22, but chose to enjoy the milk chocolate mousse topped with mint ice cream. Generously spaced and numerous assorted ‘coco pops’ wafers provide agreeable texture, to a dish that is probably best shared.

As I paid the bill a little less than an hour following being seated, I wondered whether I should ask about the tall floor staffer. I decided to allow myself to believe that Mr Sniffles was not sick, and was just enjoying himself. I’m not sure if that is the better thought, but it was more entertaining, and less of a put-off in an otherwise fabulous solo dinner.

King Clarence
https://www.bentleyrestaurantgroup.com.au/kingclarence
Open daily from 12pm
171 Clarence Street, Sydney
info@kingclarence.com.au
(02) 8456 7120

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Fratelli Fresh – Sydney – Saturday 1 April 2017 – Dinner

Fratelli Fresh is an enormous Italian restaurant in the heart of the Sydney CBD on Bridge Street close to the tourist mecca of Circular Quay. It has had a long standing reputation of providing quality Italian at a reasonable price and enjoys healthy crowds as a result.

Tonight is no different and the five of us sit at a high table towards the back of the restaurant in relative comfort, except for the lower bar of the table that is at leg height when on a stool. Everyone who serves us is friendly and helpful, but they are clearly under the pump, often having to politely ask to come back, and rarely pro-active.

Tagliatelle meatballs

We ordered some shared entrees to start because the number of options for mains is immense. Those entrees gave a good insight into why Fratelli Fresh is still a popular dining option. Each of the zucchini flowers with five cheeses, margarita pizza, and calamari, were flavoursome and well made.

Unfortunately the same issue I have had in one of three experiences at Melbourne’s newer version of Fratelli Fresh occurred tonight – the pasta was bland. I don’t say that lightly because I like the basis behind the now restaurant chain, but it is hard to forgive a linguine panigrattato that relies on few ingredients for its flavour, to be under seasoned, under oiled, and under lemoned.

Linguine pangrattato with QLD prawns

On the flip side Catherine’s beef and pork meatballs with tagliatelle was why I like Fratelli. It was well executed, fresh pasta, with a nice topping. Nothing like the best Italian, but still better than average, especially at the price point. We were dining with friends from Melbourne and Perth, and Dino, who speaks Italian fluently had a great time with the staff, while Matt was getting ready for the National Championships for his shotput, and pasta was perfect for the next day.

Fratelli signature banoffee torta

We stayed for dessert, even though we were all very satisfied already. The Banoffee pie was a good option to share, with richness from the toffee being softened by the cream, in a dish that is becoming a classic far and wide for good reason. Dino, Matt, and Simon, also shared the tiramisu which comes out in a large coffee cup, which is novel.

We had good fun and there are many aspects I enjoy here, but I don’t think I’ll personally be back in a hurry. With so many great options in Sydney, a miss on a main dish like tonight is hard to take.

Fratelli Fresh Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato