Owner of Rusco & Brusco, Sandip Silwal, said he’s doing everything he can to keep his eatery on Magill Road open

The owner of a Magill Rd restaurant says he may have to close down despite putting his heart and soul into the venue, in another sign of the hospitality scene’s downward spiral.

The owner of an Italian restaurant in Adelaide’s east says he could be forced to close its doors in the near future as expenses skyrocket and his trade is cut in half.

Sandip Silwal, 30, said he’s doing everything he can to keep his eatery, Rusco & Brusco on Magill Rd, afloat but a significant downturn in business has him facing the prospect of shutting for good within weeks.

Sandip Silwal, owner of an Rusco and Brusco Tigelleria in St Morris says he's a month or two away from closing down for good. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Previously a chef for top Sydney hospitality groups Merivale and Rockpool, Mr Silwal said he’s at his wit’s end, just like many other struggling small businesses around Adelaide.

“I’m losing money every week at the moment. If things continue like this... I will unfortunately have to shut it down. Things are that bad,” he said.

“Everything is top notch, we don’t compromise on quality. We try our best to make a good meal and it’s still very hard to keep it running.

“I am opening and closing the place, I’m doing dishes... I’m doing everything I can to stay open. I’ve never been front of house, but now I’m doing everything.

“I’m pushing myself to the limit, but it’s do-or-die at the moment.”

Mr Silwal bought Rusco & Brusco about 18 months ago, an Italian eatery which launched in 2016, specialising in the tigelle, a small, round-shaped bread with a crisp crust, and a soft centre. Originating from Modena, Italy, tigelles can be eaten with savoury and sweet fillings.

“I really want to make it happen, I don’t have any second options,” Sandip Silwal, owner of Rusco and Brusco said. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Born in Nepal but trained in Italian cuisine, Mr Silwal moved to Adelaide with wife Rama in 2021 for a couple of months after losing his chef position in Sydney during Covid.

The couple fell in love with the city and decided to make the move permanent soon after.

But just like many other hospitality operators, Mr Silwal said business costs have risen exponentially and consumer spending was down due to the cost of living crisis, two factors which had crippled his restaurant.

“I really want to make it happen, I don’t have any second options,” he said.

“If it continues like this, my food suppliers will stop supplying, my electricity will be cut off. “But until the last moment, I will be looking to make this succeed.

“I’m confident the more people know about us and our food, they will come and they will enjoy it.”

It comes as a host of SA hospitality businesses have shut down in recent months, including Cardone’s on Jetty Rd, Glenelg, Little Banksia Tree in Bowden, Gouger St’s Super Bueno, cult Hills pizza restaurant Lost In A Forest, Folklore Cafe in Port Adelaide, Morris Bakery on the Limestone Coast, plus a host of Adelaide nightspots.