FRATELLI’S REVIEW

Fratelli’s Bar & Restaurant brings a unique Mediterranean dining experience to Fenny Stratford

Fenny Stratford High Street has received a new lease of life in recent years as classy independent restaurants have moved into town. Fratelli’s Bar & Restaurant is the newest addition to the area and has been earning rave reviews since opening for takeaways during the pandemic, so Jon Boyle went along to check it out...

My Italian language skills are about as good as my ability to diet – non existent – but I do at least know that

Fratelli’s means ‘brothers’.

And how fitting this name is for the new jewel in the heart of Fenny Stratford High Street, as best friends Gian Bimb and Jack Behjet (pictured right) – have come together to bring Milton Keynes a unique Mediterranean food experience.

“We are brothers from other mothers, bonded over a love of great food,” explained the friendly and exhuberant

Gian, who I met for the first time as I went in to collect my takeaway.

He was right about the great food too – I actually haven’t ever had a takeaway quite like it.

The food was like a delicious gourmet blend of

Italian, Turkish and American cuisine.

It weirdly felt posh but devilish at the same time as I tucked into my tasty minted lamb burger, which contained feta cheese,

Fratelli’s Bar & Restaurant co-owners Gian Bimb and Jack Behjet pictured in their restaurant at 35a Aylesbury Street, Fenny Stratford

mozzarella, caramelised onions, tomato & spinach salad, garlic & coriander mayonnaise and chilli & tomato jam.

But the high quality of the food came as no surprise to me as co-owner and head chef Jack has been one of the best chefs in Milton Keynes for the last six or seven years.

I’ve known him since his days working at The Hub and he’s one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet too.

Another well-known local face at Fratelli’s – which should not be confused with

the Fratelli restaurants in Woburn and Ampthill as they are not connected – is Milton Keynes bar royalty Alan Ayres. MK doesn’t have many celebrity bartenders but Alan is certainly one of them, and he described his current role as “Daddy” of the restaurant until he takes up his natural role of shaking cocktails, pulling pints of Peroni and telling bad jokes behind the bar after lockdown. Other items I enjoyed as part of my takeaway were the Fratelli’s fries, chicken tenders and the BBQ beef short rib croquette, followed by white chocolate & Nutella arancini for dessert (bottom right photo).

My takeaway was stunning but dining in will be even better after lockdown as the venue looks so cool inside and has a lovely cosy vibe to it.

I actually can’t wait to go for a meal there, followed by a few drinks afterwards at Pink Punters just down the road.

The new-look Fenny Stratford is going to be a great night out from June 21st!

Call Fratelli’s on 01908 941654 to order a takeaway or visit fratellismk.co.uk

Tipi Time and positive podcasts

Our resident lifestyle blogger Amanda, aka Ginger Mum, talks about the most memorable birthday, all thanks to a local business

Beyond excited to say hi to you all again in this, my most anticipated season of the year!

Finally it’s time to crack open those chocolate eggs, soak up the first rays of spring sun and tentatively – Covid roadmap allowing – reach for the hugs and fun we have missed so much!

Despite trying times, a number of independent businesses have flourished and come to the rescue to give us and our families that special something for big occasions and I’ve been highlighting a few of them over my recent columns.

First up for this issue is Tipi Time Sleepovers – a fledgling business, born out of lockdown – they are growing fast from word of mouth and I can personally vouch for their flexibility, professionalism and attention to detail!

Dominic had the most memorable birthday thanks to these guys coming in whilst he was covertly sent out on a dog walk and came back to a surprise gamers themed delight!

Covid secure and complete with personalised effects, balloon arch and a bespoke sleepover den for two, he couldn’t have been happier and I cannot recommend this dynamic duo highly enough with their warm friendly manner, numerous themes and highly competitive prices – watch out for their new igloo pods too!

No celebration is complete without the sweet treat element and since we were all lockdown cake baked out already, a perfect twist on the traditional birthday cake was a decadent Kinder Bueno deep dish cookie.

What a mouthful – literally! It tasted absolutely divine and the team were so great to deal with.

Another fantastic local MK business we are so lucky to have.

So I’ve been listening to podcasts a lot lately. I had previously avoided them until January but now I’m hooked.

Some of my favourites are ‘Law of Attraction Changed My Life’ for positivity and keeping it real about how to be the best version of yourself, plus ‘My Favourite Murder’ and ‘Redhanded’ for all true crime buffs.

Let me know some of your favourites?

I’m always on the lookout for new ones now I’m a podcast convert!

Don’t forget you can follow my daily musings on my Instagram stories over @gingermumstyle