Two hatted Sydney seafood restaurant to close
Renowned seafood chef Josh Niland has delivered a blow to Sydney’s fine dining scene, announcing the closure of his two-hatted St Leonards restaurant, Petermen, on December 15th.
Despite widespread acclaim, including praise from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, the 60-seat restaurant which opened in February 2023, has succumbed to “extremely challenging” financial conditions.
“Our time on Chandos Street … has brought a lot of joy to us and our team, and we have welcomed the most incredible guests,” Niland said.
“However, the past 12 months have been extremely challenging for independent businesses within the hospitality industry [and] sadly, Julie and I have had to make the decision to close Petermen.”
Niland and wife Julie expressed gratitude to the local community and confirmed that their talented team, including Young Chef of the Year Tom Foster, will transition to their other ventures, the new three-hatted Saint Peter in Paddington or Fish Butchery in Waterloo.
Petermen, a more accessible alternative to Saint Peter, offered diners a taste of Niland’s innovative cuisine, including signature dishes like dry-aged coral trout and fish eye sandwiches. The closure caps a tumultuous year for the Nilands, marked by significant changes to their culinary empire.
In March, they consolidated their operations, closing Charcoal Fish and a Fish Butchery outlet. The strategic move allowed them to focus on the relocation of Saint Peter to a larger, more luxurious space in Paddington, which subsequently earned three hats from the Good Food Guide and was named Restaurant of the Year.
The Nilands also unveiled plans for a new family-friendly restaurant on Hamilton Island. As they enter the new year, they will oversee three venues: Saint Peter, Fysh in Singapore, and Fish Butchery.
Jonathan Jackson, 11th December 2024
