A TOP chef who worked for BBC’s Rick Stein has unexpectedly closed his Michelin restaurant and revealed that plans “will be released soon”.
Chef Roy Brett has announced plans to shut and relocate Ondine Oyster & Grill in early 2025.
He first opened the Michelin restaurant in 2009 in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
In 2021, Brett began works on the exterior of the Ondine Oyster & Grill to resemble a ship.
However, due to “unforeseen circumstances” the restaurant was left covered in scaffolding.
This led the chef to close his restaurant, as he felt the customers deserved better.
Bret added: “This is not a decision we have made lightly. Ondine means so much to many, not only to myself and my family but also to our customers, who have almost become family over the years.
“I want to extend a heartfelt personal thank you to every single one of you who has dined with us.
“Your support means everything to us, and I hope to welcome back to Ondine as many of you as is possible over the next seven weeks.”
Brett revealed that details of his new Ondine restaurant, located in Edinburgh city centre, will be announced “very soon”.
The Ondine Edinburgh is featured in the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland, despite not holding a star or Bib Gourmand.
The restaurant is hailed as being “one of the most popular places in Edinburgh for fish and shellfish”.
Last year, the top chef announced plans to open a restaurant outside of Edinburgh at the Seaton House Hotel in St Andrew next spring.
It comes after a celebrity chef closed down his iconic seaside restaurant after 16 years – and has “no plans to open any more in the future”.
Mark Hix, 61, announced that the West Dorset joint would be shutting for good on December 7.
He opened the restaurant, Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis, back in 2008 – hot off the heels of his 2007 victory on The Great British Menu.
But it has been met with numerous challenges over recent years – including the Covid pandemic and a high-profile planning dispute with the local council.
Announcing the news with his 25,000 Instagram followers, Mark shared his sadness following the decision.
He said: “It’s safe to say there have been some ups and downs over the years, particularly with the pandemic, as well as increasing challenges and pressures on the industry.
“I always think if you’re going to stop doing something, you should always go out on a high.
“And so, with heavy heart, I am announcing the closure of The Oyster & Fish House on December 7th this year.”
Turning his attention to customers, colleagues, and the people of Lyme Regis, he added: “For now, I wanted to personally say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported the business over the years.
“We have made some fantastic and loyal friendships, we’ve run countless successful events with incredible chefs including Food Rocks, we’ve raised huge amounts for charity and worked with some very talented and dedicated staff members.
“Being a Dorset boy, this will always be my home, and I will continue to work in both Dorset and London.
“I have no plans to open any more restaurants in the future and I will certainly miss my Lyme Regis restaurant, but I will cherish the memories that I have made over the last 16 years.”
He then clarified that the restaurant – and its team – would be taken over by new owners in due course, with updates to follow next week.
But the closure won’t signify the chef’s exit from the industry, he insisted.
It follows a top chef who sparked fury after slamming “cheap” diners and demanding that they “order correctly”.
And the last branch of a celeb chef’s restaurant chain will close after 33 years in business – leaving fans devastated.
