There is a growing list of places I want to go to eat in Sydney. So when I went into Paddington for a hair appointment, I told myself that I had to try some food in Paddington. I was bummed that Freds was closed on Mondays but 10 William St has been on my list for a while. I’m always on the look-out for Italian food that reminds me of an European bar.
10 William St is a very small imitate, cosy wine bar that is just off the main Oxford Street strip in Paddington. I did a walk-in and came in early, just past 5:30pm on a Monday but I would definitely book in advance if you’re coming with a group of people. There is bar seating but there aren’t many tables available.
I was told that the whipped bottarga and pretzel was a must-try and has been a staple on the menu for years. This absolutely did not disappoint. It reminded me of the sesame flatbread with whipped cod roe from Supernormal in Melbourne which I sometimes still think about to this day because it was so good. This was definitely worth the hype.
I was tossing up between the two pastas on the menu. Ultimately, did not want something really heavy like beef ragú so I opted for the potato & ricotta ravioli with nettle pesto. I absolutely made the right choice as this was pasta heaven for me. The flavours of the pasta and pesto were delicate and just the perfect balance of potato and cheese. I am terrible at translating sensory descriptions into words but all I can say is I just wanted to lick my plate clean.
I did notice that 10 William St does change the menu regularly which is not bad but it is something to keep in mind when you are looking at reviews online.
I ended the night with tiramisu because who can forget dessert. This portion is massive and definitely made me feel like I should have taken half of it home but it was just too good that I could not stop eating. 10/10
Overall, I had a lovely experience here. I can’t say much on the wine selection as I didn’t have any. However, I have read many reviews that the wines are fantastic.
Given that the place is very tiny, it can be loud. The staff were friendly and informed but given I was sitting at the bar area, all the staff were within earshot of me. However, I don’t think it would be difficult to carry a conversation as the top floor is more spacious and the majority of the seating on the lower floor is by the window.
I think 10 William St is a solid spot and great for a romantic date or an intimate dinner spot with friends. The vibe here is intimate and the whipped bottarga and pretzel is indeed a must.
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