Fratelli Fresh owner says no Danks

The fluctuating fortunes of Danks Street, Waterloo, continue, with Fratelli Fresh a confirmed departure from the strip later this year. A replacement Fratelli Fresh will open a short distance away, at the Buckland Hotel in Alexandria.

It is difficult to get a definitive gauge on Danks Street in recent times, given its comings and goings. Jared Ingersoll's Danks Street Depot was a high-profile departure earlier this year, but chef Luke Mangan has joined the Danks Street party this month, opening on the strip.

Fratelli Fresh owner Barry McDonald says the Buckland, which is being renovated, will reopen with Fratelli Fresh in residence in August. The Buckland project includes a branch of Cafe Sopra, a pizzeria, bar, bottle shop and homewares outlet. The former gaming room is to be transformed into a walk-in coolroom. And fans of the original Fratelli Fresh on Danks Street still have time to pay their respects.

''It will continue to trade until year end,'' McDonald says.

''We are celebrating 10 years at Danks Street this year, and are planning a series of favourites, classics [and] lunches.''

And the Buckland won't lose its local-boozer cache. ''Yes, there will continue to be a bar also,'' McDonald says.

''I think it's probably the first hotel that sells fruit and veg.''

Source: Good Food, 21 May 2013