Fradei Bistro
French restaurant · Fort Greene ·
Inventive Italian tasting menu, local producers, extensive wine list
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67083232/20200711_GH_LILIA_1003.0.jpg "Fradei Bistro by Gary He/Eater")
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/20085256/TAKEITEASY__bread_and_pastry_offerings_group_shot.jpg "Fradei Bistro by Louiie Victa")
Inventive Italian tasting menu, local producers, extensive wine list
"At this tiny, subterranean restaurant, you’ll eat something seasonal, drink something natural, and wonder how a space so underground can be so full of light. The tables are mostly occupied by dates, or groups of two who don’t date but are here to talk about who they date. But we also like coming here alone, snagging one of the coveted bar seats reserved for walk-ins, and ordering a solo steak tartare. The a la carte menu changes frequently, but with dishes like crab toast, and stinging nettle and ricotta dumplings, it feels like it was French once upon a time, and then things sort of spiraled, but not in a bad way." - willa moore, bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick
"While most of the restaurants in the area are casual weeknight spots, Fradei stands out as one of the only upscale places around. And this Italian wine bar isn’t afraid to have some fun with its dishes like pig ear terrine with plum mostarda or squid ink chitarra. But since this is still Brooklyn we’re talking about, showing up on their sidewalk patio in shorts and a t-shirt on a Wednesday night is totally acceptable. Before you do, be sure to check out their Instagram for information on their weekly specials." - nikko duren
"Originally opened in 2018 as a tasting-menu restaurant reviewed by the New York Times and now operating a la carte, the Fort Greene–based restaurant has announced via Instagram that it is opening a sibling in Clinton Hill. The new outpost is planned for 39 Clifton Place at Lafayette Avenue." - Melissa McCart
"In a year when we always felt like we needed to know what was going on, there was something especially alluring about a restaurant that doesn’t even give you a menu. Fradei originally opened in 2019 with a nine-dish a la carte menu before making several pivots during the pandemic. As of March of 2021, this Fort Greene spot now serves a $90, five-course tasting menu that changes every three weeks. You won’t know exactly what you’re in store for, but expect this place to intentionally draw your attention to vegetables even when meat is lurking nearby. These vegetables might come in the form of a beet bordelaise or a soup with apples and razor clams that employs a broth made with leftover scraps of squash. Whatever vegetable-forward dishes you happen to receive, you’ll enjoy them as you sit in a space that looks like a pirate ship usurped by hot French people with nothing but wine and All-Clad pans in tow." - hannah albertine, nikko duren, carlo mantuano
"Not only do you not want to be outside for very long, but you're not really in the mood to make any decisions either. Fradei in Fort Greene is the perfect spot for you. They won't tell you what's going to be on the menu on any given night, but you can expect a vegetable-forward five-course tasting and French and Italian wines. In case you haven't guessed, this isn't the type of place you can just walk into—so make a reservation." - neha talreja, kenny yang, carina finn koeppicus