Jamie Oliver forges ahead with plans for a new al fresco Trattoria in Parramatta
An artist's impression of Jamie Oliver's new Trattoria planned for Parramatta Source: Daily Telegraph
JAMIE Oliver’s new Trattoria in Parramatta promises something different to the celebrity chef’s other restaurants dotted around Australia.
Unlike Jamie’s Italian in the Sydney CBD, the Parramatta-based restaurant will have a large al-fresco dining space to make the most of its location on the edge of the newly renovated Centenary Square.
It will also have a more family friendly rather than corporate vibe to reflect the area’s population, said Adam Heathcote chief operating officer of the Keystone Group which manages Jamie’s Italian in Australia.
A girl plays in the fountain at the newly renovated Centenary Square in Parramatta. Source: Daily Telegraph
“The Parramatta community is a little distinct or different from the city community…where you don’t have a resident community like Parramatta does,” he said.
“It certainly ends up being one of the larger al-fresco dining spaces we have.”
The former bridal shop on the corner of Macquarie and Church Streets will be made-over into a colourful trattoria with a scooter perched on the fixed awning out the front and free standing parasols in the square.
“It’s quite a prominent building, it really allows us a lot of scope to create a space that’s lovely and informal, that’s both convenient and has a design element that’s a little bit different, especially by virtue of that outdoor dining space.”
Jamie Oliver has plans to open a Trattoria in Parramatta. Jamie Oliver’s restaurants are known for their pasta dishes.
Mr Heathcote said there was a new Australian design team working on the plans for the restaurant which will cater for about 200 guests and 50 staff.
It will also include a function room on the second floor catering for groups of up to about 50 people.
“It is certainly one of the first venues that will have a defined space up stairs by virtue of having two stories,” Mr Heathcote said.
It will be the sixth Jamie Oliver venue in Australia, and will also have its own tailored menu to the area.
A prawn linguine served up at a Jamie’s Italian restaurant. Jamie's Italian on Pitt Street in the Sydney CBD. Source: Daily Telegraph
“The DNA of the menu is certainly derived from Jamie’s Italian,” Mr Heathcote said.
“But while the DNA is the same, there’ll be some dishes that are specific to the Trattoria.”
A Development Application for Jamie’s Trattoria is now before Parramatta Council, with construction due to take about 12 weeks from start to finish once it has been given the green light.
It’s the latest in a string of well-known foodie icons opening up in the west.
Bondi Pizza, Tex Mex and Messina Gelato have all set up shop already in Parramatta and Bourke St Bakery is due to open early next year.
Source: Daily Telegraph - 17 October 2014
