New Mediterranean restaurant opens in Worthing

By Sam Morton
Published 30th Jun 2023, 13:12 BST
Updated 22nd Nov 2023, 17:30 BST
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A new Mediterranean restaurant, serving up dishes from around the world, has opened in Worthing.

ONYX has opened in Marine Parade – in the site of Escape Bar and Grill – owned by Turkish businessman Bulent Colak.

The restaurant will be open from 11.30am to 10pm everyday, except Tuesday. There is indoor and outdoor seating available.

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Bulent has hired a restaurant manager with a ‘wealth of experience’, named Gino Sari, and experienced chef, Umit Kelec – both from Turkey.

There will be an array of dish on offer at ONYX, including a seasoned and charcoal grilled lamb steak – served on a 440 degree rock where you can cook the meat to your own preference, with salad, chips and bulgar. Photo: Sussex WorldThere will be an array of dish on offer at ONYX, including a seasoned and charcoal grilled lamb steak – served on a 440 degree rock where you can cook the meat to your own preference, with salad, chips and bulgar. Photo: Sussex World
There will be an array of dish on offer at ONYX, including a seasoned and charcoal grilled lamb steak – served on a 440 degree rock where you can cook the meat to your own preference, with salad, chips and bulgar. Photo: Sussex World

Speaking ahead of the opening, Bulent said: “We want to offer specialised food you cannot find anywhere else.

"This kind of business is for the challenge. It’s very exciting.

“I’m not nervous as this has got potential. I’ve been all over the UK and the world travelling but I love Worthing.

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"I’ve been in Worthing for 21 years and I’m established here with more than five businesses. They are all successful. This is like my home. Even if I go to Turkey, I feel homesick for Worthing.”

Bulent (right) has hired an experienced chef, Umit Kelec (left) – also from Turkey – who has previously worked in Chichester and London. Photo: Sussex WorldBulent (right) has hired an experienced chef, Umit Kelec (left) – also from Turkey – who has previously worked in Chichester and London. Photo: Sussex World
Bulent (right) has hired an experienced chef, Umit Kelec (left) – also from Turkey – who has previously worked in Chichester and London. Photo: Sussex World

Umit, who joined the food business from a young age due to his father – who ran kebab restaurants in their hometown – moved to England in 2010.

After working alongside other top chefs in London, he started his own restaurant in Chichester, which closed permanently during the Covid pandemic.

He is hopeful his latest West Sussex restaurant will be a success – as many of his customers in Chichester were from the Worthing area.

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“I know the Worthing area and the people here,” he said. “I prefer to be here.