Tinelli turns to family dining with Rigoletto

HOSPITALITY  industry icon Umberto Tinelli will open a new 100-seat restaurant in Applecross next month.

Rigoletto, also the name of a famous Italian opera, will open at 4 Sleat Street, Applecross in the first week of February.

Mr Tinelli was the operator behind several Perth restaurant success stories including Tinelli’s, Campo de Fiori and Chianti on Colins.

Mr Tinelli has since sold the restaurants and opened his West Perth restaurant Il Principe Gran Caffe last year.

Il Principe is aimed at the business and upmarket diner and has followed in his former restaurants’ footsteps in terms of attracting numerous business people and those wanting a slice of Mr Tinelli’s hands-on service.

Conversely Rigoletto is aimed at the family market.

“It will be a casual family orientated restaurant trattoria,” Mr Tinelli said.

“There will be about 100 covers and alfresco dining.”

Mr Tinelli was investigating putting a restaurant at the Point Heathcote site.

However, after months of discussions with various authorities he has decided on a different location in Applecross.