Photo special: Willo Restaurant and Bar Parramatta opening night

Guests kicked off the weekend by anointing the newest venue in Parramatta’s CBD. See our photo gallery capturing the fun of opening night.

Joanne Vella

@Parramatta_News

less than 2 min read

May 23, 2022 - 8:48PM

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Add it to your list: Willo Restaurant and Bar, Parramatta.

It’s a boutique bar gracing the base of the glossy young QBE building and is helmed by seasoned hospitality operators Steve and Carmen Jrerj, who have cred among the CBD’s corporate crowd thanks to successful cafes including hole-in-the-wall cafe Sir Will Espresso (also in the same office block) and Black Seed (just around the corner on Phillip St).

On Friday, the classy Willo officially opened with several members of the tight-knit Jrerj clan, CBD workers and community leaders kicking off celebrations.

The evening was very much a family affair and included Willo’s interior designers Allan and Rhonda Dias, from Al & Co, who also happen to be Jrerj’s in-laws.

The pair fitted out the bar at the entrance of the 25-storey building, also known as 32 Smith St, with a sophisticated, understated design.

Willo’s menu will include modern Australian, Mediterranean and share plates to complement its cocktail list, including its signature Carve, fused with disaronno amaretto, orange, lemon, syrup and Spanish Licor 43.

If the food is anything like the guests sampled on Friday night — smoked salmon, calamari, ceviche canapes and a host of antipasto dishes — diners are in for a treat.

The bar’s title also pays homage to the once-grand, now bulldozed Victorian-era Italianate villa Willow Grove on Phillip St, and the trees along the Parramatta River.

The bar and lunch opens from May 24 at 11.30am and dinner service begins on May 31.

Staff photo at Willo Restaurant and Bar at Parramatta opening night.

Willo owners Steve and Carmen Jreij.

Willo Restaurant and Bar co-owner Steve Jreij and his daughters Sienna, 11, and Christina, 14.

Lena Saab, Sonia Jreij and Carmen Jreij.

Rhonda Haddad and Tanya Skaf.

Al & Co interior designers Rhonda Dias and Allan Dias.

Amy Bou-Abbse, Joan Jreij and Jane Khouri.

Alex Tsingoida, Manuela Palucci and Marissa Aragona.

Anthony Abood, David Borger, Chris Taylor, and Steven and Jasmine Issa.

Coleman Greig employees Madison Kelly and Elicha Reitsma.

The bar is open to the public on May 31.

Willo’s bar manager Jay Laga'aia, owner Steve Jreij, his wife Carmen, restaurant manager Sophie Patten, chef Justin Le and floor manager Gian Franco Modica.

Andy Tran and Oliver Nguyen serve up a feast.

A sumptuous bread basket helped keep guests full.

Steve Jreij and his brother Chris.

Maria Geluz, Antoinette Habkouk, Pia Luspo and Celia Hermanto.

Gerard and Padmi Pathinather.

Sonya Abousleiman, Jasmine Issa and Marlane Philippou.

Dolly and Rateb Jreij, Wassim Jreij and Sam Karam.

Marlene Almeida and Eilidh Gomes.

Chris Moujali and Mark Khouri.

Ronny Abousleiman, Kyriacos Philippou and Robert Jreij.

Jasmine Lee and Justin McClaren.

Simone and Richard Massey.

Daniel and Natalie Marrone.

Hussein Naji and Helal Shmeissem.

Greshina Dhanjee, Igor Bayder, John Coorey, Nihan Hincal, Karla McNiece, Lee Dixon and Gerard and Padmi Pathinather at the Willo Restaurant and Bar opening at Parramatta on Friday, May 13, 2022.