I really love this restaurant, and haven't found another like it in my travels. I've been going here from when it first opened to it's tapas style menu. The food is excellent. Service is pretty good. But as the menu warns, it is SLOW FOOD. So prepare to enjoy yourself at the restaurant, and don't stress about any plans after. The brunch is always wonderful. The ambiance and decor fabulous. I would suggest it as a place to take omnivorous friends, as they can see the amazing things that can be done with a vegan kitchen.
Tapas style, which means it is more expensive than it used to be because one dish is not enough to feed one person. Still reasonably priced though. Unusual and unique dishes and flavours. Not a huge menu. Very nice atmopshere, kind of dark and earthy in a modern way.
I won't add too much. I agree almost entirely with the previous review that is very detailed. The food is very very good, and occasionally great. I didn't love every dish, but the overall experience was fantastic. Personally, I prefer their brunches, which are truly sublime, and good value. In other words, as good as their dinner is, I prefer to visit Fressen for brunch. Try their cappucinos as well, sweetened with some beautiful chocolate syrup - all vegan of course!!!
I recently visited Fressen with a friend on a Friday night. We arrived without reservations and the place was full, but the staff were very helpful and she squeezed us in an hour later. After wandering around downtown on a lovely summer's evening, we had worked up quite an appetite.
We ordered three dishes between us, as they are appetiser-sized. At $9 each this is rather pricey, but totally worth it. I had read a review on here that recommended the mushroom filo pastry, so I ordered that, as well as the basil fettuccini and the eggplant pizza. All three were beyond delicious. My favourite was definitely the mushroom pastry. It was a lovely surprise after reading some reviews hat suggested the dinner wasn't as good as the brunch. If the brunch is any better, I don't think I could handle it!
The menu is divided into Salads, Starch (pasta type dishes), Vegetables and I forget what other category but it was the one containing the mushroom pastry dish. There was also soup, for $6.
There was only one dessert on offer, but it was great. It was three soft triangles of chocolate with holes in the centre filled with crushed nuts, and surrounded by fresh fruit, chocolate sauce and coulis. That was $9 also.
There was a large selection of organic wines on offer. Those that were available by the glass were $9, and cocktails (I ordered a Sea Breeze - the best I'd ever tasted) were $7. My friend also ordered fresh orange juice, which was some of the best I've tasted.
My friend and I shared a dessert. After the rich food neither of us could eat a whole one each, although some people probably could.
We were poured ice water as soon as we sat down, and topped up immediately when our glasses were low. Before the meal arrived, we were served bread with a houmus dip.
The food took a while to arrive, but it was easy to wait for. The atmoshphere is very intimate and cosy, with nice music playing in the background and low lighting. The decor is also very pleasing on the eye.
To finish off, we had hot chocolates made with soy milk. They were listed as $7 on the menu I believe, but were listed on the bill as $3.50 each. So that was a nice surprise!
There was also coffee and tea available, most or all of which was fairtrade.
The bill arrived quickly when we requested it. The bathrooms were very clean too.
The only fault I can find is that the food is pricey, but I have to say it's completely worth it, so that isn't actually a fault.
My friend and I spent almost $80 between us, including tax and a tip. It's possible to spend much less, if you stick to water or just get one drink each.
But I would recommend this place to anyone, including meat-eaters. It's proof that vegan food doesn't have to be bland. In fact, this restaurant was probably the best I had ever been to.
1. The first time we went, we found out they were closed. On the weekday, they open at 5:30.
2. The second time we went we got there 10 minutes before they closed and they wouldn't let us eat.
3. The 3rd time was a charm. At least partially.
The decor of Fressen is about as good as it gets for a casual restaurant. It was perfectly lit, plus it was warm and cosy. Yet the service we got was ANY thing from WARM.
WARNING: Be prepared for VERY SLOW service and very COLD waitresses.
I believe this is the actual philosophy of the owner because the wait staff changes, yet the attitudes remain.
I used to be a waiter for 6 years and have worked in many types of settings. I believe the owner wants them to immitate the attitudes of servers at 5 star restaurants, yet it simply doesn't work in this setting.
Also, the servers get quite hot while working, so they opened up the door to the street. It was only 14 degrees outside, so it was quite chilly until someone told them to close the door. Yet this only shows that the servers are there as a job and NOT to think of their clients.
As for the food, it was actually quite good. The portions were perfect, the temperature was correct. The only thing the food consistently missed was salt. It seems like they avoid salt altogether in their food preperation. Yet, a little enhancement with the salt located on the table make all of the food virtually perfect.
32 Reviews
First Review by erbavore
Mimi123
Points +44
Excellent - Edit
I really love this restaurant, and haven't found another like it in my travels. I've been going here from when it first opened to it's tapas style menu. The food is excellent. Service is pretty good. But as the menu warns, it is SLOW FOOD. So prepare to enjoy yourself at the restaurant, and don't stress about any plans after. The brunch is always wonderful. The ambiance and decor fabulous. I would suggest it as a place to take omnivorous friends, as they can see the amazing things that can be done with a vegan kitchen.
Read morePros: FOOD!, Ambiance, Music
Cons: Pricey, but worth it
Guest
veggiewoman
Points +378
Nice place, interesting food - Edit
Tapas style, which means it is more expensive than it used to be because one dish is not enough to feed one person. Still reasonably priced though. Unusual and unique dishes and flavours. Not a huge menu. Very nice atmopshere, kind of dark and earthy in a modern way.
Read morePros: atmosphere, food presentation, unique
Cons: not everything tastes great, slow (because it is all made fresh)
Guest
Petesternz
Points +1447
LOVED IT! - Edit
I won't add too much. I agree almost entirely with the previous review that is very detailed. The food is very very good, and occasionally great. I didn't love every dish, but the overall experience was fantastic. Personally, I prefer their brunches, which are truly sublime, and good value. In other words, as good as their dinner is, I prefer to visit Fressen for brunch. Try their cappucinos as well, sweetened with some beautiful chocolate syrup - all vegan of course!!!
Read morePros: beautiful setting, good selection, great coffee
Cons: often crowded, not enough desserts
Guest
starsnspikes
Points +60
Absolutely amazing restaurant - Edit
I recently visited Fressen with a friend on a Friday night. We arrived without reservations and the place was full, but the staff were very helpful and she squeezed us in an hour later. After wandering around downtown on a lovely summer's evening, we had worked up quite an appetite.
Read moreWe ordered three dishes between us, as they are appetiser-sized. At $9 each this is rather pricey, but totally worth it. I had read a review on here that recommended the mushroom filo pastry, so I ordered that, as well as the basil fettuccini and the eggplant pizza. All three were beyond delicious. My favourite was definitely the mushroom pastry. It was a lovely surprise after reading some reviews hat suggested the dinner wasn't as good as the brunch. If the brunch is any better, I don't think I could handle it!
The menu is divided into Salads, Starch (pasta type dishes), Vegetables and I forget what other category but it was the one containing the mushroom pastry dish. There was also soup, for $6.
There was only one dessert on offer, but it was great. It was three soft triangles of chocolate with holes in the centre filled with crushed nuts, and surrounded by fresh fruit, chocolate sauce and coulis. That was $9 also.
There was a large selection of organic wines on offer. Those that were available by the glass were $9, and cocktails (I ordered a Sea Breeze - the best I'd ever tasted) were $7. My friend also ordered fresh orange juice, which was some of the best I've tasted.
My friend and I shared a dessert. After the rich food neither of us could eat a whole one each, although some people probably could.
We were poured ice water as soon as we sat down, and topped up immediately when our glasses were low. Before the meal arrived, we were served bread with a houmus dip.
The food took a while to arrive, but it was easy to wait for. The atmoshphere is very intimate and cosy, with nice music playing in the background and low lighting. The decor is also very pleasing on the eye.
To finish off, we had hot chocolates made with soy milk. They were listed as $7 on the menu I believe, but were listed on the bill as $3.50 each. So that was a nice surprise!
There was also coffee and tea available, most or all of which was fairtrade.
The bill arrived quickly when we requested it. The bathrooms were very clean too.
The only fault I can find is that the food is pricey, but I have to say it's completely worth it, so that isn't actually a fault.
My friend and I spent almost $80 between us, including tax and a tip. It's possible to spend much less, if you stick to water or just get one drink each.
But I would recommend this place to anyone, including meat-eaters. It's proof that vegan food doesn't have to be bland. In fact, this restaurant was probably the best I had ever been to.
Pros: amazing food, completely vegan, great atmoshphere/decor/staff
Cons: pricey
Guest
erbavore
Points +108
Exactly as described in other reviews - Edit
1. The first time we went, we found out they were closed. On the weekday, they open at 5:30.
Read more2. The second time we went we got there 10 minutes before they closed and they wouldn't let us eat.
3. The 3rd time was a charm. At least partially.
The decor of Fressen is about as good as it gets for a casual restaurant. It was perfectly lit, plus it was warm and cosy. Yet the service we got was ANY thing from WARM.
WARNING: Be prepared for VERY SLOW service and very COLD waitresses.
I believe this is the actual philosophy of the owner because the wait staff changes, yet the attitudes remain.
I used to be a waiter for 6 years and have worked in many types of settings. I believe the owner wants them to immitate the attitudes of servers at 5 star restaurants, yet it simply doesn't work in this setting.
Also, the servers get quite hot while working, so they opened up the door to the street. It was only 14 degrees outside, so it was quite chilly until someone told them to close the door. Yet this only shows that the servers are there as a job and NOT to think of their clients.
As for the food, it was actually quite good. The portions were perfect, the temperature was correct. The only thing the food consistently missed was salt. It seems like they avoid salt altogether in their food preperation. Yet, a little enhancement with the salt located on the table make all of the food virtually perfect.
Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Price
Cons: Staff, they are horrible
Guest
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