As the man behind Sydney’s iconic Fratelli Fresh providores and restaurants, Barry McDonald is constantly flying back and forth between Australia and Italy. Here, he shares his secrets to the best pasta in the country and tips to starting an Italian pantry at home…
My favourite places in Italy are… Portofino, you can’t help but feel this is how life was meant to be when you hang out here. Also Rome, no matter how often I visit the history of the city leaves me in awe.
Italy’s best kept secret is… Puglia. It’s a gorgeous part of Italy and still off the tourist trail.
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I always stay… at Hotel de Russie, Rome. Close to everything and the Le Jardin de Russie (the gardens at the rear of the hotel) are the best place for people spotting and a Campari in the late afternoon.
For shopping, I can’t go past…The Tod’s store in Milan. This Italian loafer is the best looking and most comfortable of all shoes.
People love Italian food because… It’s accessible, not confronting and has so much variety of flavours.
If you want to cook Italian at home the must-have pantry ingredients are…Olive oil, Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, dry pasta.
The best wine to have with Italian food has to be… I’m a Brunello addict (100% Sangiovese). This is the grape variety that typifies what is great in Italian wine. I do tend to drink whichever is the local wine with whatever is the food specialty of the region. This always works.
You can find the best coffee at… I love Caffé Greco in Rome. It is 250 years old and you’re guaranteed to be immersed in the whole Italian experience here.
The best pasta in the country is… everywhere. Every Italian town will tell you they have the best pasta and most have a speciality. I particularly like tortellini from Bologna.
When travelling, my carry-on essentials are…My iPad. It keeps me in touch with Fratelli Fresh, and my running shoes, there’s no better way to introduce your self to a new place than an early morning jog.
fratellifresh.com.au
Food & Drink
Antico Caffè Greco
Via dei Condotti,
86 00187, Rome.
+39 06 679 1700
anticocaffegreco.eu
Accommodation
Hotel De Russie
Via del Babuino,
9 00187, Rome.