PROFILE BY BEST RESTAURANTS
10 William Street is the iconic venture of the Paradiso brothers, Enrico and Giovanni – and their partner Marco Ambrosino – whose first venture, Fratelli Paradiso, has become a Potts Point stalwart. Nestled between tiny terraces and boutique shops on a quaint little street in Paddington, this Eastern Suburbs favourite successfully treads the rather narrow middle ground between a trendy restaurant and boutique wine bar.
As you step through the small shopfront entrance, a dark woody interior beckons diners within. Spread over two floors, the space is on the cosy side of intimate and its petite candlelit tables are well-suited for sweetheart wooing and dining with close friends. Knowledgeable accented staff lead diners through an expansive wine list, which pays homage to Italian varietals. Small gestures, such as offering guests a sample of the wine before they try, doesn't go unnoticed. The food menu aligns to the antipasti tradition with small share plates and bar snacks of warm mixed olives (Sicilian, Ligurian and Kalamata) and lightly fried whitebait before moving into meaty main courses.
A light dish of seared tuna fillet on a bed of sweet corn puree is fresh and well-balanced with a crispy fried leek topping, rich balsamic glaze and micro herb salad adding textural allure. The signature Paradiso oxtail ragout and prawn tagliatelle is a reliable pick, but the menu changes daily. The bill mounts quickly, and as portions are not ‘Italian Trattoria' in style it's easy to be dismayed. Nevertheless it's equally as easy to turn a blind eye, swill your Occhipinti SP68 and savour another sip as you revel in the warm ambience.
Sami-Jo Adelman