Criniti’s Italian restaurant Parramatta to reopen on Church St

A popular restaurant on Parramatta’s Eat St is making a big comeback after going into administration in 2019 owing more than $16.5 million.

It's been one of Church St’s worst kept secrets but it has been confirmed that Criniti’s Italian restaurant is making a comeback along the dining strip, two years after the company went into liquidation and shut several of its eateries, including the original Parramatta branch.

The restaurant will operate at the former El-Phoenician Lebanese restaurant, which shocked its legion of loyal customers in January when it announced it would shut permanently after 24 years.

A lease has been signed with Criniti’s new owners, Brunelli Group, and major renovations are being undertaken at the space, which will house a woodfire pizza oven and trestle tables, a much different fitout to the fine dining atmosphere of El-Phoenician.

The overhaul is expected to take several months but the money splashed on it has signalled a comeback for more Criniti’s franchises across Sydney, where there are still six restaurants operating including Castle Hill, Wetherill Park and Darling Harbour.

Criniti's Italian restaurant at Parramatta before it went into administration. A new company will reopen it at the El-Phoenician site.

Frank Criniti and his now ex-wife Rima debuted Criniti’s on Church St in 2003 but the company went into administration in November 2019.

In April 2020, administrators Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants revealed the national Covid shutdown stopped a last-ditch sale agreement to keep Criniti’s — which had debts of more than $16.5 million — open.

But a last-minute sale of the business’ assets to South Australian-based Brunelli Group saved six of its 13 restaurants.

Restaurateur Tony El-Bayeh at El-Phoenician Lebanese Restaurant in June. Picture: Monique Harmer

Mr Criniti now runs Frankie B’s where Criniti’s operated.

After decades of serving Parramatta, El-Phoenician’s announcement that it would close unleashed a wave of disappointment from customers who were devastated about the closure.

Founder John El-Bayeh cited Parramatta light rail construction, lack of carparking for customers and the Covid pandemic for contributing to the decision to shut.

The family, which has operated 37 restaurants — including 16 in Parramatta — over the past 30 years, will search for another property in Parramatta for its next project.

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