The Giuliani family has been sharing their hospitality with the Illawarra for over 40 years and in Balgownie for over 19 years.
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“The best memories always involve the customers we have seen over the years – we have shared so much laughter with our team and customers,” son Adrian said.
Q: Is the food like nonna's cooking only better? No one can cook better than nonna, but I have learnt so much over the years from my nonna and mum, from cooking right through to the way they host dinners at home.
Q: How does Il Nido Trattoria Pizzeria differ from Cin Cin Pizza Cucina Bar? The restaurants are similar at the heart of what we offer. Good food, hospitality, and a family environment. The menus are also similar and differ only slightly in order to cater for different demands, however essentially we wanted to bring something that has worked in Balgownie for 19 years to the Thirroul community.
Q: What are typical menu highlights? Our garlic prawns are popular, a range of pastas that my family would typically enjoy at home, and of course pizza. A really popular dish has proven to be pasta served in a pecorino cheese wheel. We also cater for gluten intolerances. Our range of Italian cocktails, beers and wines are great too.
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Q: What desserts are available? Homemade tiramisu, a gelato bar with seven flavours and dessert pizza such as Tim Tam nutella pizza. We also have cocktails on offer.
Q: What specialities do you have? Our homemade gnocchi in a bolognese sauce that is my nonna’s recipe. This was handed down to her from her mother. My father Giulio’s pizzas have also developed their own following over the years and of course the pecorino cheese wheel pasta.
We do a seasonal chef’s menu where we source what’s in season and create a weekly specials menu. We also have our staple menu with pizza, pasta, veal, chicken and seafood dishes.
Q: What meal types are available? We have takeaway for pickup and home delivery available through our website or through Uber Eats. We also take orders over the phone and group bookings up to 100 people. Set menus can be taken up on the night or pre arranged at $38 or $48 per person.
Q: Why is Il Nido so successful? It's because of my parents Giulio and Diana’s hospitality and quality of product. They have their heart and soul in their business and our regular clientele have been following them around for 40 years. My parents were one of the first to open an Italian restaurant in the Illawarra back in the 70s.
We’ve also learnt how important it is to continually adapt and grow with the ever changing dining scene. It’s most important for us to listen to what our customers want and try to keep a step ahead. We love what we do and are passionate about it.
Trying to get a team that gels together and for them to treat it like its their own business is also very important. We have developed what feels like a big family at Il Nido between our team and customers and this contributes to the success of the business.
Q: What may set this pizza restaurant apart from other ones? Our team we have is amazing. We don’t want to be a restaurant that’s ok, we want to be a restaurant that has everything a restaurant should have. The warm greeting from the minute you walk in through to great table service, food and drinks. We want our customers to feel welcome and comfortable.
Il Nido, at 154 Balgownie Rd, Fairy Meadow, is open Wednesday to Sunday from 5.30pm to late. See ilnido.com.au or phone 4284 8664.