Make a reservation! Friday evening was easy going at our 5pm reservation but it got really busy by the time we left at 7pm. The cookery was excellent. We especially loved the the lamb ragu rigatoni and the mushroom pizza. I think the price reflects the value, quality, and the beautiful view of Ambleside. Excellent service. Food took some time to come out the kitchen but for a Friday evening, the kitchen crew delivered splendidly. We will be back to try the hanger steak next time!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leigh Stratton
First time visiting, service and food were great! had the meatballs and pizza and tiramisu. Harriet and Carlene were amazing! will be back. cheers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tomáš Majzel
Celebrated my Dad’s big birthday there. I must say that food was very delicious and they were nice to accommodate company of 6 incl newborn in stroller. Highly recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dylan Hendricks
The atmosphere is incredibly friendly and cool, with speakeasy sort of vibes. The signature drinks are well done with a great bartender at the helm.
The service was great overall, and very accommodating, from hostess to waitress and everyone in between.
Loved the vibes overall and the freshly made pasta was al dente and flame grilled pizza was tasty with great ingredients!
Thoroughly recommend to anyone venturing their way through the Ambelside/Park Royal area.
Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian items including the cacio e pepe.
Parking: Will have to bustle around a bit to find a spot during peak hours.
A real shame to see what’s happened here. What started as a new favourite local spot for excellent food, drinks, ambiance and service, has become unrecognizable. Now TWO wonderful managers have been sent off for who knows what reason, and our experience with current management couldn’t have been less tasteful. Dish quality has noticeably declined as well. In a big bad way. Whether that’s due to ingredient budget cuts, or low morale given the new leadership (Sept 2024), I don’t know.
Until recently, I was dining here almost weekly. I didn’t bat an eye at paying a premium, when the service and menu quality were top-notch. But now, I’m just left with a bad taste in my mouth. Literally and figuratively.
I’m not one to go out of my way to write a negative review, in fact I think this is my first. Prompted by the humiliating and tactless encounter we recently had with the new (is she interim?) manager. I just hope that ownership can take notice before it’s too late, because I’m not the only one who feels this way. Fred’s was such a win for Ambleside. We had it so good, but now it’s just… so bad.
Edit: Below is my 5 star review from about a year ago, when Fred’s first opened. I’ll leave it here, because the management and staff at the time were truly excellent. Many of whom are still there today, and I’ll miss seeing them all the time. To them, thank you for so many lovely experiences and meals together.
Lucky to have this gem of a spot on the North Shore. The ambiance, the menu, the hospitality... they got it right. Looking forward to continuing to make my way through their menu. So far I can say that the ricotta al forno is a go-to starter, the campanelle al pesto and cacio e pepe never miss, and the lamb sirloin is an actual work of art. Last minute resos are tough to secure (for good reason), but don't turn down a chance to sit at the bar for a charming and equally lovely dining experience. It might even be my preference.
Check it out so that you can say you were there before they earned their spot on the Michelin guide. It's surely on the horizon.
Cheers to Fred! That guy knows what's up.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Laura Marie
Words escape me re recent comically rude treatment by latest new management and chef, but I have warm and grateful words for Shak, Sammy and the rest of the servers who are truly spectacular, professional, talented, hardworking people whom we very much enjoyed getting to know, and will miss. "Bon Voyage" then.
Areli Lerma
We were celebrating my daughter's birthday, and after dinner, we planned to order cake to mark the special occasion. However, a short blonde waitress picked up our plates and packed our leftovers, even though we were still deciding whether to eat or take them out. She then proceeded to clean the table with a wet cloth, making us lift our glasses so she could wipe underneath them. After that, she brought us the bill without us asking for it. We had barely started looking at the bill when, less than a minute later, she returned with the payment machine. My daughter was still enjoying her glass of wine! I askedthe waitress if we could take the wine to go, and of course, she said no. I then asked why she was rushing us, and she replied, "Me? No, I just noticed you were looking at the bill." (Which she had brought just a minute before, without us requesting it.)
We FELT UNWELCOME at FRED'S while celebrating our daughter's milestone.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
MF
Very expensive for what you get. A few pieces of cauliflower and chick pea fries will cost you $40. Not very sophisticated with their dishes; more amateur cooking.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Anita Willson
We came for a special birthday dinner and it started out great - very nice table, tasty Lambrusco, a really yummy burrata appetizer. Then - eventually after quite a wait - the main arrived and it was so disappointing. The smallest half chicken ever, poorly cooked broccolini, and a tiny portion of pasta. We certainly did not leave satisfied. And very expensive for what we had. We will never return. I hope they figure it out - it’s a lovely space. I will, however, keep going to Crema where everything works.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
David Sebba
Great dinner experience with tasty food.
The hostess, named Carlene, was phenomenal. Her proactive approach to the small issue we had is why we will return.
Such a great atmosphere and delicious food! Staff were extremely friendly and helpful, will definitely be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nadine Roukema
How have I not dined at this place sooner! Such amazing food and great vibe overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katelynn Potter
I recently went to Fred's for the first time with a friend for dinner. Our server was lovely and we split the mushroom pizza and the cacio e pepe which were both delicious. Great sized portions with fresh ingredients. We split a nice bottle of wine but the standout beverage was the Fred's spritz - very refreshing!
As an added bonus, the location is perfect for a nice walk on the seawall afterwards if the weather is nice. Can't wait to visit again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
RiLel
I loved everything about this place! Nice interior, good pizza, and amazing location
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mrheydu
This is a great spot for Italian food. Super close to ambleside. Loved the service and loved the food. Obviously will be coming back!
Make a reservation! Friday evening was easy going at our 5pm reservation but it got really busy by the time we left at 7pm.
The cookery was excellent. We especially loved the the lamb ragu rigatoni and the mushroom pizza. I think the price reflects the value, quality, and the beautiful view of Ambleside.
Excellent service. Food took some time to come out the kitchen but for a Friday evening, the kitchen crew delivered splendidly. We will be back to try the hanger steak next time!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time visiting, service and food were great! had the meatballs and pizza and tiramisu. Harriet and Carlene were amazing! will be back. cheers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Celebrated my Dad’s big birthday there. I must say that food was very delicious and they were nice to accommodate company of 6 incl newborn in stroller. Highly recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The atmosphere is incredibly friendly and cool, with speakeasy sort of vibes. The signature drinks are well done with a great bartender at the helm.
The service was great overall, and very accommodating, from hostess to waitress and everyone in between.
Loved the vibes overall and the freshly made pasta was al dente and flame grilled pizza was tasty with great ingredients!
Thoroughly recommend to anyone venturing their way through the Ambelside/Park Royal area.
Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian items including the cacio e pepe.
Parking: Will have to bustle around a bit to find a spot during peak hours.
Wheelchair accessibility: ground level accessibility.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A real shame to see what’s happened here. What started as a new favourite local spot for excellent food, drinks, ambiance and service, has become unrecognizable. Now TWO wonderful managers have been sent off for who knows what reason, and our experience with current management couldn’t have been less tasteful. Dish quality has noticeably declined as well. In a big bad way. Whether that’s due to ingredient budget cuts, or low morale given the new leadership (Sept 2024), I don’t know.
Until recently, I was dining here almost weekly. I didn’t bat an eye at paying a premium, when the service and menu quality were top-notch. But now, I’m just left with a bad taste in my mouth. Literally and figuratively.
I’m not one to go out of my way to write a negative review, in fact I think this is my first. Prompted by the humiliating and tactless encounter we recently had with the new (is she interim?) manager. I just hope that ownership can take notice before it’s too late, because I’m not the only one who feels this way. Fred’s was such a win for Ambleside. We had it so good, but now it’s just… so bad.
Edit: Below is my 5 star review from about a year ago, when Fred’s first opened. I’ll leave it here, because the management and staff at the time were truly excellent. Many of whom are still there today, and I’ll miss seeing them all the time. To them, thank you for so many lovely experiences and meals together.
Lucky to have this gem of a spot on the North Shore. The ambiance, the menu, the hospitality... they got it right. Looking forward to continuing to make my way through their menu. So far I can say that the ricotta al forno is a go-to starter, the campanelle al pesto and cacio e pepe never miss, and the lamb sirloin is an actual work of art. Last minute resos are tough to secure (for good reason), but don't turn down a chance to sit at the bar for a charming and equally lovely dining experience. It might even be my preference.
Check it out so that you can say you were there before they earned their spot on the Michelin guide. It's surely on the horizon.
Cheers to Fred! That guy knows what's up.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Words escape me re recent comically rude treatment by latest new management and chef, but I have warm and grateful words for Shak, Sammy and the rest of the servers who are truly spectacular, professional, talented, hardworking people whom we very much enjoyed getting to know, and will miss. "Bon Voyage" then.
We were celebrating my daughter's birthday, and after dinner, we planned to order cake to mark the special occasion. However, a short blonde waitress picked up our plates and packed our leftovers, even though we were still deciding whether to eat or take them out. She then proceeded to clean the table with a wet cloth, making us lift our glasses so she could wipe underneath them. After that, she brought us the bill without us asking for it. We had barely started looking at the bill when, less than a minute later, she returned with the payment machine. My daughter was still enjoying her glass of wine! I askedthe waitress if we could take the wine to go, and of course, she said no. I then asked why she was rushing us, and she replied, "Me? No, I just noticed you were looking at the bill." (Which she had brought just a minute before, without us requesting it.)
We FELT UNWELCOME at FRED'S while celebrating our daughter's milestone.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Very expensive for what you get. A few pieces of cauliflower and chick pea fries will cost you $40. Not very sophisticated with their dishes; more amateur cooking.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
We came for a special birthday dinner and it started out great - very nice table, tasty Lambrusco, a really yummy burrata appetizer. Then - eventually after quite a wait - the main arrived and it was so disappointing. The smallest half chicken ever, poorly cooked broccolini, and a tiny portion of pasta. We certainly did not leave satisfied. And very expensive for what we had. We will never return. I hope they figure it out - it’s a lovely space. I will, however, keep going to Crema where everything works.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Great dinner experience with tasty food.
The hostess, named Carlene, was phenomenal. Her proactive approach to the small issue we had is why we will return.
Fantastic service and hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Such a great atmosphere and delicious food! Staff were extremely friendly and helpful, will definitely be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
How have I not dined at this place sooner! Such amazing food and great vibe overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I recently went to Fred's for the first time with a friend for dinner. Our server was lovely and we split the mushroom pizza and the cacio e pepe which were both delicious. Great sized portions with fresh ingredients. We split a nice bottle of wine but the standout beverage was the Fred's spritz - very refreshing!
As an added bonus, the location is perfect for a nice walk on the seawall afterwards if the weather is nice. Can't wait to visit again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I loved everything about this place! Nice interior, good pizza, and amazing location
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a great spot for Italian food. Super close to ambleside. Loved the service and loved the food. Obviously will be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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