After 25 years Enzo’s Ristorante will close its doors forever and customers are wanting one last meal at the iconic establishment

The iconic Enzo’s Ristorante will close its doors forever and the phone’s running hot with customers wanting one last experience at the beloved Adelaide establishment.

The phone at Enzo’s Ristorante hasn’t stopped ringing since owner, Enzo Fazzari, announced he will be closing its doors for good after 25 years.

“We’re getting a flood of calls from customers – they can’t believe it. It’s been overwhelming,” said Mr Fazzari.

“The emotions are running high at the moment. I never realised we made such an impact.”

The beloved Italian chef and his wife Teresa revealed this week they will serve their final course at the Port Road institution on May 4.

Mrs Fazzari, the award-winning venue’s front of house dynamo, said some of their regulars were “devastated” by the news.

Teresa and Enzo Fazzari owners of Enzo's Ristorante. Picture Mark Brake

“One rang me last night and said they had to pull over their car because they were in tears,” she said.

The building’s lease is up this year and after much contemplation, the couple decided it was time they hung up the apron.

For Mr Fazzari, 70, it’ll be a well-earned rest after more than four decades in hospitality – but that doesn’t make it any easier to say goodbye.

“I will miss the cooking side of things, being in the kitchen and my team at the restaurant... and of course, our customers.

“But it is what it is. It’s been 25 years and my legs are telling me to sit down, after standing 16 hours a day for all those years.”

It’s estimated that Mr Fazzari has prepared more than 750,000 Italian meals across his decorated career, which began in the early 80s at Da Clemente in Rundle Street.

He then moved to the kitchen of another iconic Italian restaurant, La Trattoria, for three years, before opening his own eatery in Port Adelaide in the early 90s.

Mr Fazzari then took a six-month working sabbatical in his homeland, Italy, later returning home to open a pasta shop, Tutto Pasta, on Grange Road in 1994

The couple finally launched the first incarnation of Enzo’s Ristorante at 308 Port Road in 1999. They stayed there for 11 years before moving to their current location, next to Channel 7 and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, in 2010.

Enzo's Ristorante has announced it is closing down. Picture Mark Brake

Andrea Bocelli photos framed at Enzo's. Picture Mark Brake

Mr Fazzari said he hasn’t had time to reflect on his career as a chef, but ask him about his favourite memories, and they come thick and fast.

First and foremost, was the night that Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and his entourage came to dine.

“It happened to be his birthday, and we had a band inside the restaurant... and then he started singing. I was in the kitchen, but when I heard him, the hairs on the back on my neck stood up,” he recalled. “I’ll never forget it.”

There’s a huge photo frame inside Enzo’s featuring a collage of snaps marking Bocelli’s memorable 2004 visit.

Also inside the restaurant is a cabinet filled with white dinner plates signed by many of the celebrities who have eaten there, from local and international sporting stars to musicians across the globe.

Bon Jovi having dinner at Enzo's Restaurant in Adelaide.

Among the big names to have stopped by for a meal include Lionel Richie, Bon Jovi, Barry Humphries, Michael Buble, former PM Julia Gillard and sporting teams such as the Adelaide Crows and Adelaide United, just to name a few.

Humphries was a regular customer and treasured friend, back from Mr Fazzari’s days cooking on Rundle St.

Danielle Tsogas with Kathryn McGowan, Cate Smith, Kirsten Heysen and Anne Wills at Enzos Restaurant for launch of Paramount Pictures. Jan 18, 2007.

“He would always come in. He was a very good man, a very good friend,” he said.

Enzo’s has won multiple awards, including Excellence in Formal Italian Dining in 2017 and 2019 in SA, and was the one of the first Australia restaurants to be awarded the Ospitalita Italiana accreditation by the Italian Government for its authentic Italian dining experience.

Mr Fazzari said the secret to his success is simple: treat your guests like family and don’t cut corners with the food.

Michael Buble at Enzo's restaurant.

“I always insisted on this from day one. One of my mottos is, if it’s not good enough for you to eat, please don’t send it out to my customers,” he said.

Hospitality veterans Eugenio Maiale (Auge, Atavola) and Claudio Ferraro (Cibo) paid tribute to Mr Fazzari, saying he set an “incredibly high standard and maintained the integrity of real Italian food”.

“We admire and respect you and will always remember your authenticity, distinct flavours and the true taste of Italy in every single dish you served,” he said.

“You have always been a gentleman and an inspiration to us all.”

Former MasterChef star and The Middle Store owner Rose Adam said Enzo’s Ristorante will be “very much missed”.

“My first time at Enzo’s was with my high school best friend and her family. I remember walking in and thinking I was in Italy,” she said.

Andrea Bocelli at Enzo's Ristorante.

“It wasn’t far off, the hospitality, the generous and delicious food... as I got older I appreciated the art in tradition and it became a staple for pre concerts and soccer games.”

The Fazzari legacy lives on Enzo’s children. Sons Matthew and Alex run the family’s successful Enzo’s at Home Ready Meals business – which Enzo will continue to assist with – and daughter Natalie late last year opened her own Italian restaurant, Enoteca Cucina and Lounge, on Rundle St.

“We are very proud of all of them,” Mr Fazzari said.

Adelaide Crows players Nathan van Berlo and Brenton Sanderson with Enzo at Enzo's restaurant.

He adds with a laugh: “With Natalie, I think she’s starting to realise what we went through.”

Seats are filling up for the restaurant’s final dinner sittings, and Mr Fazzari said he’s planning on bringing back some of their classic dishes which have fallen off the menu. These include the spaghetti marinara and the eye fillet with truffle sauce.

Barry Humphries with staff member Damiano at Enzo's restaurant.

“Everyone is really keen have that last meal at Enzo’s, some of them have been visiting us for years. Some of the new ones have been meaning to try us and now this is their last chance,” he said.

“I will miss them because they are not just customers, they are friends, they are family. I’m going to miss them – truly,” he said.