Chef James Metcalfe bringing Italian restaurant, Freddie Green's, to Green Square

Given the projection Sydney's Green Square will have a population density higher than New York City, there's been surprisingly little intel on incoming food projects for the precinct.

Tramsheds eatery Butcher and the Farmer is headed into the Koichi Takada-designed Infinity by Crown building. Some low-key Asian operators are following. That's about it.

So word that former Becasse head chef James Metcalfe has been sniffing around the area will be heartening news for Green Square's thousands of incoming residents. "Yes, I'm opening an Italian restaurant, Freddie Green's, on September 1," Metcalfe says.

Federico, surely? "Fred Green was the mayor of Alexandria. Green Square was named after him," Metcalfe explains.

The veteran chef, who last year opened the well-reviewed Chippendale wine bar-eatery Saint George, has taken a site facing O'Riordan Street, where Veriu Green Square hotel also opens in September.

Metcalfe has just returned from an inspiration tour of Italy. The Roman-style potato pizzas – rarely championed in Sydney – will be on the menu. As will the fried chicken dish he ate in Florence. "I had a really delicious tripe roll with salsa verde, but I won't put it on the menu. I don't think it'd sell."