Icebergs restaurateur Maurice Terzini to open Italian kitchen in Sydney CBD

Icebergs restaurateur Maurice Terzini is one giant step closer to realising a 20-year dream and finally opening a venue in the Sydney CBD. In doing so he'll join an exclusive club of operators brave enough to expand under the cloud of COVID-19.

"I believe in this industry, there'll be a comeback at some stage, let's be ready for it," Terzini says.

He confirms the rumour that a deal to open near Australia Square is true, with a heads of agreement deal currently bouncing between lawyers.

"The concept is an Italian kitchen with a wine bar," he says. Its potential neighbour is another restaurant group doubling down and opening new venues in trying times, the Bentley crew set to open Monopole in the same city location.

There's no denying Sydney's brutal restaurant closure toll, but there is also plenty piling in.

Via Napoli's Luigi Esposito is launching The Amalfi Way in coming months down on the water at Woolloomooloo, and Marcella Nelson-Aebi's Calabria is opening in the city. The decision to proceed on both deals was made in the current environment. At least two other Sydney celebrity chefs are also close on new venues.

A few months ago Sydney's regular fill of openings appeared set for a drought. Yet, in recent days Rushcutters Bay welcomed an ambitious new Italian, Figo, and over in Crows Nest Hendriks Cognac & Wine opens later this week. Banksia Bakehouse has also put a twist on apple pies since opening at Grosvenor Place.

Terzini, who is also proceeding with a new Parramatta branch of his CicciaBella restaurant, says he has nothing and everything to lose: "But hospitality is what I do."