Next time your sister hassles you to join her for “Bondi-to-Bronte” on a Saturday morning, consider saying yes with the knowledge that Fonda, Melbourne’s favourite spot for a kangaroo burrito and frozen Margarita, is coming to Sydney.
The perennially popular chain of new wave Mexican eateries has spent the last six years taking over our southern neighbour, with a location list that sounds off like a AFL ladder - Richmond, Collingwood, Hawthorn and even in hip-restaurant hub Flinders Lane.
Now they’re trying their luck among the bronzed and beautiful in Bondi, snapping up a prime spot on busy Hall St that’s set to open in late October.
But it won’t be more of the same old - they’ve brought in Mark Tagnipez (E.P & L.P) all the way from Los Angeles to be executive chef, tasking him with relaunching a menu that moves beyond tacos and burritos to incorporate more authentic Mexican street food flavours.
With Tagnipez recently returning from a two week tour of Mexico, they’re promising a menu that reflects the evolution of Mexican cuisine towards fresher ingredients, with “more greens, seafood, and high quality meats”. They’re hinting at kingfish ceviche tostadas, poké bowls and desserts like coconut and lime sorbet - light and breezy food to match their new beachside locale.
If you’re still hankering for a taco, there’ll be something called a 'deconstructed taco sharing board' which is actually just a DIY job where you assemble your own from a choice of slow cooked meats, side salads and salsas. You can take a restaurant out of Melbourne, but you sure as hell can’t take Melbourne out of said restaurant.
The space is still under construction, but they’re promising a warm and relaxed space with an indoor garden and a beachy vibe that makes it both the place to go for a post-swim horchata as well as to linger with a bucket of Pacificos late into the night.
Fonda will open in late October on Hall St, Bondi. www.fondamexican.com.au
Looking for a beachside brunch spot? Check out the best cafés in Bondi.