Profiled by de Groots MediaThe Bite was one of the first restaurants to take up residence on Parramatta’s Church Street about a decade ago, easily pleasing the punters and their tastebuds with wood-fired pizzas and hearty pastas. A kitchen fire a few years back devastated the restaurant, which was forced to close for an extended period of time while it was being rebuilt. But in late 2007 The Bite reopened with a sleek new look and a mouth-watering menu that goes above and beyond wood-fired pizzas. The alfresco seating remains, but inside The Bite has been given a modern makeover that combines the deep ruby and burnt orange tones of the Australian outback with polished floors and warm use of lighting.
The open-plan kitchen towards the back of the restaurant is a constant hive of activity as lovers of The Bite eagerly trek back to sample the menu of modern Italian-inspired cuisine. The antipasto platter for two looks too good to eat, but don’t let that stop you – plump garlic prawns, curls of smoked salmon, prosciutto, shaved parmesan, tomato and bocconcini salad topped with basil and little mounds of marinated fetta and kalamata olives make for a divine starter. You might also fancy starting with one of the crispy based pizzas that earned The Bite it’s reputation before getting stuck into one of the mains. Veal, chicken, steak and seafood come perfectly cooked and with a myriad of different sauces and garnishes – the beef fillet wrapped in prosciutto and served on garlic mash with a wild mushroom jus will hit the spot. Desserts are all made in house and you can get a wicked dessert pizza if you feel like trying something new.
Amy Looker