There's a traffic ravaged part of Regent Street that used to be particularly dodgy ... but in these days of gentrihipsterification (that's a technical term), Regent Street has "laneways", and up one of them is a tapas / wine bar / trendy joint called Freda's.
They've got a Euro-style enoteca thing going on - with small plates that combine Spanish and Italian-style comestibles with a touch of Eastern European flavour (think pickled / lemon juiced / salted).
Raw artichokes (yieehah!!) are on the menu right now - of course, that's seasonal. The ceviche is luscious, and the pickled eggplant goes well with the crusty bread they serve. It's pickled though, don't order it if you don't dig pickled stuff.
If you're lucky, you can catch them on a "Lamb in the Lane" night. There really is a lamb, on a spit, and you can eat it. More precisely, they serve "charcoal spit slow roasted whole milk-fed Cowra lamb rubbed with lemon, salt, and herbs." Dude.
Not many wines are on offer by the glass, but they're all pretty good, I particularly rate the Tempranillo, but that's just me. Don't expect a cheap night. Even the olives are a little spendy.
It's a great space - it's larger than many of these so-called "small bars", with plenty of tables and some bar space too. The lighting is warm, and the ceilings are nice and high. It isn't over-decorated, but has some splendid old hair-cut posters around the place. They somehow make the place feel airy and comfortable even though it has no windows. (Or maybe it has one... anyway, don't come here for windows.)
When I was here with a group it was too busy to sit at a table, but the waiter found us a cosy corner spot to stand in, and he made sure we all had water as well as our drinks, and took our orders as if it was table service (sans table).
They've started doing lunch too - so maybe this review will need an update once I've tried that. BTW their website doesn't have much info, but there is heaps on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fredas.sydney read more