Veteran restaurateur closes most of his Sydney restaurants
Chef and restaurateur Opel Khan has closed most of his Sydney restaurants, lamenting the difficulty the industry is having in turning a profit.
“Food costs have gone up 40 per cent, we can’t increase the price we charge customers. Wages are up, interest rates [are up],” Khan told Good Food.
While Khan has attempted to meet market demand by turning some of his more high-end restaurants into affordable eateries, it has made little difference to his bottom line.
Khan replaced upmarket Khanaa in Surry Hills with Bistronomie, which has now closed.
The chef has also scrapped plans to open a second Bistronomie, where hatted venue Metisse operated in Potts Point. Metisse operated as a luxe restaurant from 2019, with head chef Benoit Lollichon.
Khan has also closed his small restaurants, Acqua E Farina, but says has found new operators for both Metisse and Acqua E Farina.
The Potts Point site will become a Vietnamese eatery, and Bistronomie in Surry Hills will be rebranded as a Chinese restaurant.
Khan has also sold the Metisse site.
He told Good Food he is just one of many that is suffering.
A friend with lots of venues says you just can’t make money at the moment.”
Khan will continue to operate is casual Pizza Boccone at Potts Point.
“I’m going to take a little break, but I live and breathe food and wine so don’t count me out doing another restaurant,” he said.
Jonathan Jackson, 8th October 2024
