Fred's Providore
By day, it's a cafe and providore — by night, a moody bistro and wine bar serving caviar crumpets and pouring 16 wines by the glass.
Overview
Tucked at the southern end of Cronulla Plaza, Fred's Providore is a local go-to for cafe fare, premium groceries and cuts from its in-house butchery. The space is bright and handsome, with dark timber, brass, fluted glass and exposed brick lending it a distinctly European feel. It's the kind of spot you could duck into for a wedge or two from the gourmet cheese display, or comfortably linger with a pick from the all-day brunch or loaded focaccia menus.
Come nightfall, things take a decidedly intimate turn with Fred's After Hours, a moody bistro and wine bar that sees the lights dim and the wine poured generously. Those same timber and brass accents glow warmer in soft golden light, while the exposed brick takes on a softly dramatic edge. The fluted glass, etched with gold leaf, adds to the after-dark shimmer, and makes a fitting backdrop for caviar crumpets, dry-aged steaks and 16 wines by the glass.
The menu — available from Thursday to Sunday — puts an elevated spin on the wine bar model. Yes, you'll find anchovy gildas and tuna crudo bites — and, naturally, house-baked focaccia — but also brioche lobster rolls and Black Pearl Oscietra caviar served with mini crumpets. Larger plates showcase the butchery's premium produce, like grass-fed steak tartare with 24-month parmesan and focaccia, MB9+ wagyu skewers and a rotating butcher's cut — for opening, it's a one-kilogram, dry-aged bistecca cooked on a hibachi and served on the bone.
Behind the bar, sommelier Jeff Beresford has assembled a tight list that roams through Australia, New Zealand, France and Italy, with a pair of champagnes — Pol Roger and Ruinart, no less — available by the glass. Cocktails are equally considered, from the reimagined passionfruit martini served with a prosecco palate cleanser, to classic serves that can all be paired with a caviar-topped crisp.
Jarryd Biviano
Top images: Jarryd Biviano.
Information
- CP Picks: The Best Gifts for Arts Lovers — From Gallery Prints to Music Gigs
- CP Picks: The Best Gifts for People Who Are Never Home — According to Travel Writers
- CP Picks: From Hot Sauce to Handblown Glasses — Small-Batch Gifts for Big Foodies
- The Best Restaurants in Sydney to Take Your Dad This Father's Day (or Any Day)
- Twenty-Five Exceptional Films by Indigenous Australian Filmmakers That You Can Stream Right Now
- Where to Find the Best Steak in Sydney