There's a story Alcide Giuliani likes to tell about his early days as a restaurateur. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading It was Easter 1983 and diners were greeted by delicious Italian aromas as they piled in for the grand opening of his new Windang pizzeria, Pinocchio's.
The only hitch? Alcide's furniture order had landed on a public holiday and wouldn't be delivered until after the break. "We open a business with no tables, no chairs, and the people, I remember, we give them plates, we sat down on the floor in the line, everybody sat down with their plate and ate on the floor," he said. "Ah everybody laughed.
People said, 'don't worry, we happy your pizza's very good'." It's a funny anecdote that goes a long way to explaining why Alcide - who customers know as Giulio because "back in the day no one could say his name" - has thrived in the fickle, ever-evolving Illawarra food scene. For nearly 50 years, the born entertainer has done his best to keep things light (both the food and the mood) in his many eateries, and derives great joy from seeing others enjoy his warm Italian hospitality.
"In any business, if you're good with the people, I think 'geez, look at that'. I'm very happy. you're a very good person," he said.
But his adventures in food have never been a one-man show. Il Nido - the beloved Balgownie restaurant he established in 1999 - is celebrated its 25th anniversary this month, with the family members who helped turn the place.