Al Aseel Parramatta restaurant’s opening night in photos

It was a Middle Eastern feast in western Sydney when foodies, the business community, comedians, former reality TV contestants and footballers celebrated a restaurant debut. See the pictures.

Adrian Islas, Al Aseel general manager Ahmad Harb and Rusty Tandog at Al Aseel Lebanese restaurant at Parramatta.

Parramatta was in party mode on Wednesday night when Al Aseel opened its seventh restaurant, a day before it made its debut to the public.

Guests feasted on morsels of traditional Lebanese cuisine and canapes with a twist while washing it down with mango mocktails, as well as pomegranate caprioska and espresso martini cocktails.

Comedian Rob Shehadie, DJ Nick Skitz, ex-Parramatta Eels skipper Tim Mannah and Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis were among a throng of about 300 celebrating the event, which included infectious Middle Eastern music and dancing.

Al Aseel’s first restaurant opened in 2001 at Greenacre and has since expanded across the suburbs.

“Naturally our next step had to be the beautiful and growing city of Parramatta,’’ Al Aseel general manager Ahmad Harb told the crowd at the Victoria Rd venue.

Jono Castano, Suzan Mutesi and Danny Banoub.

Liz Areal and Louisa Nemer.

Rob Shehadie, Jeff Cassar, DJ Nick Skitz and former MAFS contestant Nasser Sultan.

Keith and Brooke Ford.

Al Aseel host Ali Zaarour serves up some delicious canapes.

Parramatta Chamber of Commerce president Luke Magee and general manager Romina Bousimon.

Sisters Patricia and Marie-Antoinette Issa.

Former Fiji international Eloni Vunakece and former Parramatta Eels skipper Tim Mannah.

Briana Jimenez and Sylvia Harper.

Larson and Loranz Bakous from the Sydney Food Brothers Instagram account, Grace Said and Briana Jimenez.

John and Isabella Risso at the Al Aseel Parramatta Lebanese restaurant opening night on November 9, 2022.

Daniel Phu and Addie Mazo.

Linda Kim enjoys a mocktail.

Andira El-Droubi and Souzan Aoun at the opening night of Al Aseel Lebanese restaurant Parramatta on November 9, 2022.

Trent and Nardin Butler.

The saxophone player contributed to a vibrant atmosphere.

John Stamboulie, Al Aseel brand and sales manager Tim Claus and Hans Joachim.

Rob Hollows, Paul Papadopoulos and Marty Fileman.

George and Corinna Khoury.

Darin Yusef and Nashita Azam.

Al Aseel head of marketing Sai Ragunathan.

Aayush Acharya and Matthew Rodriguez.

William Chaaya, Georgia Gately and Nell Brescia.

Kerrie Theodoridis and Natasha Ellem.

John Maait, Chantelle Maroun and Bassam Hadaya.

Staff Kriti Raj and Azadeh Kalantari serve delicious beverages.

Peter Arraj (aka Where I Eat Pete on Instagram).

Grace Wong, Rosa Bellissimo and Jamily Lichaa.

Jessica Rethouze and Andrew Shalala.

Vickie Scoullis and Yvonne Sokias.

Dancing the night away at Al Aseel Lebanese restaurant.

Jhemry Pacifico with salmon appetisers.

Tony Nguyen and Yi Shen.

Al Aseel employees Ziad Kassis, Rajab Ibrahim, Wassim Kivarskis and Milad Tomeh.