Fred - UDINE

In the last week we have been to Fred twice and will return in the next few days because the quality of food, wine and helpful service are second to none. Today... read more In the last week we have been to Fred twice and will return in the next few days because the quality of food, wine and helpful service are second to none. Today we revisited Fred, expecting it to be very busy for lunch on a Friday. Lucky for us it was not busy. We were greeted by the chef/manager? as we entered, and caught a glimpse of the antipasto vegetables as we passed by to our table. We noted the wonderful looking artichokes (carciofi , and grilled capsicum, zucchini etc. We craved vegetables as most people do when they travel, and ordered a plate for 2, including buffalo mozzarella, and, of course, carciofi! Previous experience encouraged us to venture beyond the prosecco (which is excellent! to a couple of the other sparkling wines by the glass as listed on the board by the bar. The waiter/ sommelier has taken the time to educate us in some of the wines of the north east. Quite a number of the sparklings are produced using the French traditional method, including some from Trentino. and Francia Corta. The examples we had were excellent. For secondi today we shared a serve of Milanese di pollo (small pieces of chicken in breadcrumbs, fried ; and ravioli stuffed with spinach and octopus. Both were very enjoyable, and the ravioli were outside our experience. With the food we enjoyed a glass of white by Keber. a blend of 3 grapes and powerful enough to stand up to carciofi , and a very good, local pinot nero. We look forward to revisiting 'Fred .

I called Fred around 1800 on a Monday evening asking if they could provide a wine-tasting and then possibly keep open a bit longer than usual for a small group... read more I called Fred around 1800 on a Monday evening asking if they could provide a wine-tasting and then possibly keep open a bit longer than usual for a small group and they were friendly and available. We ended up with 42 people sitting drinking and eating till 2am. Both owners worked non-stop and what started as a very professional wine-tasting for a small table escalated in a full evening of wine and food. Not once they lost their means, not once their service was less then perfectly friendly. And the wines were very good and interesting, substantial selection, fairly priced, food was simple but based on excellent raw materials, nice decor. Don’t miss it :

What a beautiful evening of delectable food and breath taking wines. Amazing ingredients produced simply and beautifully into elegant delicious dishes. Beautifu... read more What a beautiful evening of delectable food and breath taking wines. Amazing ingredients produced simply and beautifully into elegant delicious dishes. Beautiful service, wonderful atmosphere and ambience. Well worth the detour to Udine even if this is not on your route but you are in the region.

My hotel recommended this place after I said I wanted to find somewhere to try local wines. What a spot on recommendation! I came here for lunch, then returned... read more My hotel recommended this place after I said I wanted to find somewhere to try local wines. What a spot on recommendation! I came here for lunch, then returned for dinner the same evening if I'd stayed longer in Udine, I'd have been back, probably more than once! Lunch local dish of frico with a local Malvasia and the opening of a bottle of my favourite Friulian wine Pignolo. Dinner salmon tartare with a glass of local bubbly and the cheese plate with another couple of glasses of the Pignolo. Staff were so knowledgeable about their food and wine and pairing them, and so helpful and patient while I read and re read their food and wine menus. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough, and thanked the lady at the hotel who mentioned this place when I saw her again on departure the following morning.

Had lunch here during an afternoon in the charming city of Udine. The food was outstanding. Had the cured local meats followed by blec (the local pasta) with mu... read more Had lunch here during an afternoon in the charming city of Udine. The food was outstanding. Had the cured local meats followed by blec (the local pasta) with mushrooms. Delicious. Excellent wine as well.