Federico Zanellato and Karl Firla Have Called Curtains on Theatrical Fine Diner Ele

Tough times are being felt everywhere right now, and Ele is the latest Sydney restaurant to buckle under the pressure.

According to an official statement from The Star, Federico Zanellato and Karl Firla’s theatrical fine diner will take its final bow this Saturday June 3.

“Following a challenging year for the hospitality industry and the nation-wide pressures on cost-of-living expenses, Federico, Karl and the team at The Star have made the tough decision to close ELE.”

Named for the first syllable of “elements”, the restaurant opened in the old Momofuku Seiobo space in 2022 and offered Sydneysiders a similarly lavish approach to dining out.

And truly, there’s been nothing like it before or since. Diners would take part in a progressive, multi-sensory degustation inspired by the elements (earth, wind, water and fire), incorporating visuals and music alongside dishes.

You’d start at the bar for snacks such as sourdough crumpet topped with Wagyu tartare and confit egg yolk, before moving onto the dining room for dishes such as WA marron served two ways: the claw in a pikelet and the tail glazed and served with pain perdu. The meal would end with dessert at the chef’s table – perhaps toasted grains with salted caramel.

Zanellato and Firla are long-time collaborators, and together also run Restaurant Leo and its cafe offshoot Picco Leo in the CBD. And by the sounds of it, this isn’t the end of their time at The Star.

“Federico, Karl and The Star have thoroughly enjoyed working together and creating something so special in ELE. We hope to work together on another exciting venture in the not-too-distant future.”

Ele's final service takes place this Saturday, June 3