Collapsed Cicchetti Gold Coast swiftly replaced by new venture, Moana Restaurant and Bar

In the two days since the company behind a popular Gold Coast restaurant went into administration, a Disney-inspired eatery with a celebrity chef has popped up in its place and is ready to welcome its first customers.

Cicchetti at Capri on Via Roma has closed down – but a new restaurant will replace it soon. Picture: Tim Marsden

IN the two days since the company behind popular restaurant Cicchetti went into administration, a new restaurant has popped up in its place and its celebrity chef is ready to welcome its first customers.

Former George’s Paragon head chef Alex Kaihea will run Moana Restaurant and Bar with partner Danielle Niuhulu, offering Pacific Rim cuisine.

Cicchetti, which hosted 300 VIPs at a lavish launch in 2015, reportedly did not re-open after the Easter break.

Staff were working to open a new venture at the former Cicchetti restaurant on Wednesday. Pic Tim Marsden

‘THAT ITALIAN PLACE’ COLLAPSES UNDER DEBT

The company behind the Isle of Capri venture went into administration on Monday.

By Wednesday however, new operators were shifting furniture and stocking the bar, with fellow tenants of Capri on Via Roma informed of the changing of the guard via email.

It said the new business would open as early as today.

“A cuisine of medleys, Pacific Rim cooking combines Pacific Island foods, Asian cooking techniques, Califormia freshness and a host of other cultural and culinary influences,” fellow tenants were told.

Chef Alex Kaihea is set to launch a new venture, Moana Restaurant and Bar, at Capri on Via Roma. Photo: Supplied

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

“Celebrity head chef Alex Kaihea and partner Danielle Niuhulu moved from New Zealand four years ago with their three children to the Gold Coast.

“Previously owning top restaurants in NZ, they now want to bring their Pacific flair and passion for food to Capri on Via Roma.”

The Bulletin has attempted to contact the couple for comment.

Cicchetti at Capri on Via Roma has closed down — but a new venture has already popped up to replace it. Picture: Tim Marsden

MORE NEWS

‘This would delay light rail for years’

Revealed: Real size of proposed cruise ship terminal

Coast in line to host ‘Formula 1 of skies’

Before heading up the George’s Paragon kitchen at Sanctuary Cove, Mr Kaihea owned The Beach House Restaurant Bar in Auckland and became a familiar face across the ditch appearing in national television shows including Good Morning and Real Pasifik.

A profile written for Sanctuary Cove in 2017, said Mr Kaihea was 19 when he established The Beach House at Auckland’s Bucklands Beach, where he refined his signature fusion of Tongan-European cuisine before going on to open two other restaurants, including The Esplanade on Eastern Beach, Auckland, and a cafe in his native Tonga.

Company records show Mr Kaihea registered the business name on April 8 this year.