A good restaurant with a nice atmosphere and location. A little overpriced and often not as flavourful as I'd like, had my order come out wrong one time but I'm sure they would have replaced it if I'd asked. Wait times can be a little long but they're able to cater for large dinner parties in their upstairs area. Can be a bit annoying in summertime outside as the bugs (tiny fruit flies) get into your food.

Approximate cost: $30

as per the comments below, very popular restaurant but as per my review of the parramtta one I think that due to its popularity, crinitis is becoming more and more commercial. The pizzas still taste good (used to taste better) and coktails and deserts are good. good place to stay compared to the restaurants around

Much prefer this Location then the Harbourside. Food is always great, portions are big, which you'd expect for the pricing, table service is prompt and the restaurant has a great atmosphere, the decor and memorabilia in the restaurant is also awesome! Only negative is that it is extremely loud and busy, and your often shouting across the table to have a conversation. Highly recommend the spaghetti and meat balls!

Up until a year or two ago, the space Criniti's occupies was Trellini's--a very nice, but noisy and expensive, Italian restaurant in Castle Tower's very pretty Piazza.

Now it's Criniti's--a very nice, but noisy expensive, Italian restaurant in Castle Tower's very pretty Piazza.

But it's a big change. Gone are Trellini's euro-inspired modern furnishings, white, glass, and brightly lit interior, replaced with a darker, ambient, rustic feel, complete with brick walls, wooden tables, and a Ducati twice the size of an average-sized adult mounted behind the bar.

It's loud, bustling, and it's BUSY. We arrived around 7:30pm on a Tuesday evening for dinner, and shown to a cozy wooden table (the underside of which very kindly left splinters in my tights), and were surprised to find it much quieter, but by no means quiet, inside. The staff were polite and attentive, and I was impressed at how well everything ran, given the place was so busy. And it really was busy. But it didn't feel packed, or crowded, and hubby and I enjoyed our meal.

The menu is huge, and a little intimidating. I'm all for choices, but... I don't like making them. And Criniti's offers hundreds--which of the 21 different pasta options would YOU fancy? Or you can choose from as many fresh, hot, proper wood-fired pizzas. Neither? Maybe risotto, skewer plates, or steak--half a dozen different ways--is more to your fancy? Believe me--finding something to suit your appetite will never be a struggle... if you can narrow it down to just one.

Hubby and I were a little unimaginative in our choices. We ordered the Caprese Bruschetta, which was divine, topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella and basil, and somehow tasting of summer-fresh tomatoes in early spring (really, how did they do that? Essence of tomato?) The serving was generous, with one 'serve' offering two thick-cut slices of crunch sourdough that we could have happily cut in half again to share between four. Wait. Not 'happily'--no. I would not have been 'happy' to share. It was delicious.

Now, that aforementioned expansive pasta menu is split in two--Pasta Fresca (Handmade Pasta) and Pasta Asciutta (umm... Pasta, Pasta? Not handmade? Why would you want NOT handmade pasta when the other's on offer, I ask?!). We ordered the Ravioli Rosa (for me) and the D.O.C. Lasagne alla Bolognese (for him. And yes, that's just lasagne). Both were lovely. Hot, fresh, full of flavour, and reasonable serves--but they would well want to be at around $25 a serve for a bowl of pasta.

I really couldn't fault the restaurant. The food was good, though not necessarily GREAT, the service was good, though not necessarily GREAT, and prices were reasonable, though not necessarily GREAT. At the end of the evening, we walked away happy, sated, and we had enjoyed what I believe was a well calculated 'experience'. Everything on the menu, everything in the interior, every piece of crockery, and every faux-distressed brick on the wall is carefully placed and orchestrated to create an ambience and atmosphere that really was enjoyable, ambient and satisfying. I'd certainly return. No, it won't be my new 'go-to' meal spot, but I'd definitely enjoy it for a special occasion--if for no other reason than to further sample the massive menu!

Approximate cost: $25-35

This is a very popular restaurant, and is very loud and busy. The decor is very cool. The service can be a bit hit and miss, and you get the feeling you are being a little rushed so they can fill your seat again. I have only ever had pizza and pasta, both which were delicious. The pizza has the best meats on it. The Nutella Bombe is the best. The price is more expensive than your local pizza place, but overall it is a nice restaurant and worth a visit.

I've been here a few times, each has seen the restaurant to be packed. It's quite popular, and does good food. The portions are reasonable, though admittedly, for what you're paying, you should be getting at least that much. At times, the service is lacking somewhat, but they are busy, so while it's not optimal, it is unsurprising. One of the things I'd definitely recommend trying is getting a large group and ordering a 1m pizza, the chicken and white sauce base is excellent. If you were in the area and after Italian food, Criniti's isn't too bad.

Nice place to come with a group of friends or families. The foods are delicious and the place is packed. The garlic and mozzarella crust is lovely. The base is perfect (not too thin or too thick). The salmon fusilli pasta was hearty and there were quite a lot of salmon in it too. To my surprise, the pork ribs were also nice. I did not really expect it from an Italian restaurant. But, the pork ribs were tender and juicy. The foods can be considered a bit pricey but you get the quality foods for what you pay.

Awful and Overpriced. Went in for dinner with my boyfriends family. 6 of us in total. It wasnt very busy inside. the lighting was terrible which made it difficult to read the menu. but the staff fixed that problem by not coming over to take our order for 20 mins....

entrees came out and then were quickly taken away even though we werent finished. We though maybe our mains were on the way so we scoffed the last bit down and proceed to wait over an hour before asking if our food was ready...

we ordered a lime daquiri which came out red... we all looked at each other confused before talking a sip. even though it tasted like ice water we decided it must me the strawberry one and called the waiter over. she took it away to change it but never came back. in the end we asked them to cancel it off the bill

Crinitis has amazing food quality andd the taste is fantastic. The downside is that it is very very expensive. The ambience is good with the modern style and the Ducati bike make the place light up. Overall it fantastic .

The food was delicious and could be considered top quality. The service was reasonable but frantic as the restuarant is always busy... The problem though was that it is always busy and very very noisy.. not the place for a romantic dinner.

Approximate cost: $35.00