Latest news with #ManlyWharf
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Monday heartbreak as TWO hugely popular Sydney restaurants announce shock closure in a matter of days
Two of Sydney 's best-known waterfront dining spots are closing their doors for good - and it's not because of poor performance. Saké and El Camino Cantina, both located at the bustling Manly Wharf, will shut down on Monday, 30 June, marking a major shake-up in Sydney's hospitality scene. The decision to close the popular restaurants is part of a broader commercial strategy by hospitality powerhouse Hunter St. Hospitality, which also owns Rockpool Bar & Grill and The Bavarian. 'It was a commercial decision - [Manly Wharf owner Artemus Group] made a wonderful offer. We had 15 years left on the lease,' Hunter St. Hospitality CEO Frank Tucker told The Sydney Morning Herald. Tucker, who stepped into the top job last year, said the company is shifting its focus from chain expansion to cultivating 'unique venues'. He confirmed plans to open three new Japanese restaurants over the next year, though they are unlikely to operate under the Saké name. The closure follows the earlier exit of The Bavarian at Manly Wharf, a sister venue to the soon-to-close restaurants. When that lease expired earlier this year, property owner Artemus Group took over the site and transformed it into a seafood restaurant, Felons Seafood. The new venue is helmed by rising culinary star Luke Bourke, a Rockpool alumnus, and opened its doors last Friday. Artemus Group, which famously revitalised Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves, has been pouring millions into Manly Wharf since acquiring the site for $110million last year. The hospitality heavyweight has already taken over venues including Manly Wharf Bar and Hugos Manly, the latter reportedly purchased for $20million. The closure of Saké and El Camino frees up even more space for Artemus to expand. While there's been speculation around the addition of a large function venue, no official plans have been confirmed. For now, one of the only remaining non-Artemus tenants on the wharf is Merivale's Queen Chow. Locals have expressed dismay at the closures, with many shocked to see two much-loved eateries disappear from the scenic harbourside strip. The news is yet another sign that Sydney's hospitality scene continues to evolve, with big players making bold moves.
The Age
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Age
Popular Manly restaurants to close as new wharf owners continue expansion plans
High-profile Manly Wharf restaurants Sake and El Camino Cantina will close on Monday, June 30, as part of widespread changes at its owner, industry giant Hunter St. Hospitality. The group's chief executive, Frank Tucker – who oversees a massive stable that sweeps from glamour restaurant Rockpool Bar & Grill to mid-market brands such as The Bavarian – said the decision to shut the Manly restaurants wasn't driven by flatter trading conditions. 'It was a commercial decision – [Manly Wharf owner Artemus Group] made a wonderful offer,' Tucker said. 'We had 15 years left on the lease.' Tucker, who took the helm at the hospitality group last year, said there had been a change of direction under his watch, with more focus on 'unique venues' rather than wholesale growth of chains. As an example, he said there were plans for three new Japanese restaurants over the next 12 months, but they were unlikely to use the popular Sake moniker.
Sydney Morning Herald
21 hours ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Popular Manly restaurants to close as new wharf owners continue expansion plans
High-profile Manly Wharf restaurants Sake and El Camino Cantina will close on Monday, June 30, as part of widespread changes at its owner, industry giant Hunter St. Hospitality. The group's chief executive, Frank Tucker – who oversees a massive stable that sweeps from glamour restaurant Rockpool Bar & Grill to mid-market brands such as The Bavarian – said the decision to shut the Manly restaurants wasn't driven by flatter trading conditions. 'It was a commercial decision – [Manly Wharf owner Artemus Group] made a wonderful offer,' Tucker said. 'We had 15 years left on the lease.' Tucker, who took the helm at the hospitality group last year, said there had been a change of direction under his watch, with more focus on 'unique venues' rather than wholesale growth of chains. As an example, he said there were plans for three new Japanese restaurants over the next 12 months, but they were unlikely to use the popular Sake moniker.
