Parramatta’s Alex&Co at Church St reopens after coronavirus shutdown
His restaurant is in the centre of a construction zone but inside one Parramatta restaurant, the rhythm of Mediterranean life has inspired its comeback after the coronavirus shutdown.
Parramatta
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Parramatta’s main dining strip might be vibrating to the sound of machinery instead of diners, but Alex Aslan is determined to help his customers feel like they’re in Mykonos or Capri once they step inside his recently-refurbished restaurant.
The rhythm of Mediterranean life has inspired the overhaul at Alex&Co, on Church St, where the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail construction is under way.
Yesterday (Monday) the restaurant returned after a five-month coronavirus shutdown.
Mr Aslan refused to reopen in May when the easing of COVID-19 restrictions allowed 10 diners — a number he said was not financially viable at his 188-seat restaurant.
Instead, he used the shutdown to overhaul the restaurant and bar’s interiors and menu, while helping customers retreat from the stresses of the pandemic.
“We want to make it feel like a European holiday in a coastal town in Italian or Greece,’’ Mr Aslan said.
“We want to make people feel like they’re in Mykonos. It’s psychological. People have been isolated and they’re not travelling so we want them to escape.’’
The spruce up comes replete with private rooms and a menu that reflects the Parramatta palate.
“We learned a lot about Parramatta and what works, what fails,’’ Mr Aslan said.
“People here understand food, and what’s fresh and what’s not. It’s all keeping it fresh and lovely.
“They appreciate the ingredients, like good quality tomatoes with seasoning and not being overcomplicated with food.’’
The new menu has been crafted for sharing and includes flatbread, house labneh, green chilli green chilli zhoug, Moreton Bay bugs and schnitzel with a fermented chilli butter or a spiced brisket and spicy harissa on its reinvented meatlovers woodfired pizza.
Taking the less-is-more approach, the menu has been reduced “so everything we do, we do it perfectly”.
That includes having senior management attend COVID-19 safety programs and upholding the maximum restrictions.
Plus, “we’ve been getting hounded from everybody in Parramatta to open’’.
“My thoughts are that people are getting used to living with it, and have accepted that it will be around, and are taking extra precautions when going out.
“We’re humans and can’t stay locked in forever, we’re social beings and need to also consider out social wellbeing for our mental health so it’s all in good balance and I think we have a bright future in Australia.’’
Before the COVID-19 pandemic crippled businesses nationwide, Church St restaurateurs were already struggling with dwindling customer numbers because of the light rail project.
Since February, the eat-street strip has been blocked to traffic.
From November 20 to the end of January 2021, construction will cease on Church St where hoardings will be removed and Transport for NSW will work with businesses to deliver activities and events to attract people to Parramatta CBD.