Some say that you’re either a pasta lover or pizza fiend. Me? I have a hard time choosing one over the other – the slippery, saucy calls of al dente pasta are equally as enticing as the crisp, puffed crust and steaming oozy cheesiness of a pizza fresh from the oven.

The Sydney CBD branch of the popular Potts Point Italian restaurant, Fratelli Fresh, is not easy to spot amid the towering office buildings of Bridge Street. Signposted only by a small chalkboard and a set of steps which lead to an underground entrance, the interior vibe seems the antithesis of the venue’s plain sandstone façade.

Inside it’s a mix of deep wooden tables and bar seating, where one can have the pleasure of watching the Pizzaiolos in action, and to one side sits a collection of tall, industrial shelves with homewares available for purchase. Scrawled on rustic chalkboards is an extensive menu of antipasti, primi (pasta), secondi and pizza.

Prawns with capers, olives, chilli and garlic ($24)

All the pizzas come out in a jiffy, and each is rimmed with a poignantly puffed, oven-speckled crust. A sweet tomato base is topped with sparse pieces of curled prawn, whole olives, salty capers and a little chilli.

Tomato with buffalo mozzarella and basil ($22)

The simplicity of this pizza, with its pale blooms of white buffalo mozzarella and classic Italian flavours, is something which is truly wonderful. All pizzas are best enjoyed as soon as they hit the table, especially this one, so that you can savour stretchy mess of creamy cheese which oozes with each bite. While some may not like the extra thick, fluffy crust which lines the toppings, we don’t mind this at all as it’s so chewy and light.

Cannelloni with porcini, field mushroom and taleggio ($24)

Topped with a thick, fluffy layer of browned cheese sauce, three cannelloni are stuffed with a tasty porcini and mushroom filling. This sharp taleggio adds an extra layer of depth to the dish which helps offset the rich topping. 

Spaghetti with prawns, chilli, garlic and pangrattato ($25)

With a simple, rustic aesthetic, this pasta really packs a punch with its flavour and mix of textures. The toasted crunch of the breadcrumbs, slight chilli tingle and freshness of the parsley combine to create a deliciously light pasta dish.  The abundance of garlicky, sweet prawn chunks gets a big thumbs up.

Lamb ragu with rosemary, chilli and penne ($22)

This tasty dish features slow cooked lamb which is tossed with penne pasta and lots of parmesan. The sauce is thick, rich, and coats every groove of the penne, and the subtle hint of earthy rosemary is only just noticeable. 

Dishes arrive fast and the atmosphere is always abuzz at this warmly-lit alcove of a restaurant. Conveniently located a short way from Wynyard station, it’s a great place for both a fast, delicious Italian fix in the Sydney CBD or a long lunch catch up with friends and family, whatever your agenda may be. 

Website:

http://www.fratellifresh.com.au/