Second bite for old Surfers restaurant
A SURFERS Paradise restaurant institution of four decades has reopened after its abrupt closure left local regulars lamenting its demise.
New Nicolinis Italian eatery owners Nives and John Ceccato served customers on Wednesday last week for the first time since the favourite shut two months ago.
The pair, who have a hospitality background and were Nicolinis regulars, stepped in to revive the venue which had closed indefinitely in late May.
The Ceccatos said they spent $30,000-40,000 on a moderate refurbishment which included installing a new oven, fridges, replacing electrical wiring and “touching up” a wall mural.
Regulars have embraced the reopening.
“Friday lunch was ridiculous, all the lawyers, accountants were in for lunch. We had about 50 people. It was a lot of fun,” Nives Ceccato said.
They had kept the menu the same with some new dishes, all inspired by the north eastern part of Italy they hailed from originally. The Ceccatos are friends with Jack Ulliana who founded Nicolinis in the early 1970s at its corner site on Surfers Paradise Boulevard. He is believed to be in a rest home while his son Paul is overseas.
The Ceccatos, who have rehired most of the staff and are also employing their children and grandkids, have the lease until January with options to renew.
Nicolinis is open for lunch and dinner from noon Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and just dinner Tuesday through to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays.
FRIDAY LUNCH WAS RIDICULOUS, ALL THE LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS WERE IN FOR LUNCH. WE HAD ABOUT 50 PEOPLE