Orazio D’Elia has confirmed Italian eatery Da Orazio is making a comeback to Bondi, with the chef snapping the site where it all began.
Icebergs Restaurateur Maurice Terzini has sold the Hall Street location to D’Elia, which is currently home to CicciaBella.
It’s a full-circle moment for the chef and the restaurateur, who teamed up to create Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta until D’Elia’s exit in 2018.
The chef joined The Adored Group to open Matteo Double Bay and CBD sibling Matteo Downtown, but has recently sold his stakes in the businesses to pursue Da Orazio 2.0 full-time.
D’Elia took to Instagram to confirm the return of the Da Orazio brand, posting a photo inside the restaurant.
“I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am … Some of you may recognise where I’m sitting. With so much happiness I will swing open those red doors to welcome you back to my dining room @da_orazio (2022).
“Over the last few months my dear friend @mauriceterzini and I have been discussing the space and agree it was fitting for me to buy back my first love in order [to] pursue my dream.”
CicciaBella will close at the end of December, with D’Elia set to commence renovations in preparation for a February launch.
Terzini also took to Instagram to post about the sale and teased a potential expansion of the CicciaBella brand “up north” along with his upcoming plans outside of Sydney.
“After almost a decade time to move on from Hall Street. In the mean time off to Byorn @belongilbeachitalianfood opening mid December and Melbourne with the exciting Cucina Povera Vino Vero … + some other incredible projects soon to be announced!
“A big shout out to @chef_orazio who will reignite Da Orazio looking forward to eating many meals there … this has been a lot of fun.”
Da Orazio is slated to open its doors in early 2022. More details to come.