delicious100: The shock Qld restaurant closures of 2019

As we celebrate the best restaurants in Queensland with the delicious100, we should also spare a thought for the many quality establishments that are no longer with us.

THERE are few industries as turbulent as the hospitality business with restaurants opening and closing faster than a cheetah in pursuit of its next feed.

This year has seen a smorgasbord of restaurants change hands, move or promise to reopen, as well as institutions that have closed for good.

The biggest shutdown of 2019 was that of Aria Brisbane, vacating its riverfront premises following the end of its lease after 10 years at Eagle Street Pier.

Matt Moran (right) and head chef Ben Russell at Aria on its final day of service

With the restaurant, which last year sat at No.4 in the delicious.100, serving out its final day in June, chef Matt Moran didn’t rule out making a return.

“All good things come to an end and when one book shuts, another one opens, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens long term,” he said.

It has now been replaced by Latin American restaurant Rico.

Aria restaurant Brisbane closes after a decade

Another well-covered closure was that of modern Indian Heritij in the new Brisbane Quarter development along George St in the CBD. The restaurant opened in September last year with fanfare thanks to boasting a Michelin-starred chef at the helm in Manjunath Mural, but couldn’t find the patronage to keep it going. Last year’s No.67 in the delicious.100 closed its doors in August.

Chef Manjunath Mural fronted the now-closed Heritij in Brisbane Quarter. Picture: Liam Kidston

After almost a decade in business, Spanish eatery Peasant in The Barracks - No.80 on the 2018 list of delicious restaurants - also unexpectedly shut down earlier this year, despite a quality food offering and great staff.

Peasant at The Barracks, Petrie Tce closed down after almost a decade in business. Picture: David Kelly

Noosa resident Yoyo Bar and Restaurant wasn’t open for judging in this year’s delicious.100, after closing. However, it has re-emerged just a few doors down with a new chef at the pans, an expanded menu and a broader, top-notch wine list.

Also on the move is Fortitude Valley favourite Longtime. From chef Ben Bertei and restaurateurs Ty Simon and Frank Li, the hugely popular Thai eatery will shut along Ann St, before moving to the new The Calile Hotel precinct in James St and relaunching with the name Same Same. The old site, will remain Longtime, but be turned into a permanent events and function space. Same Same is set to open in November.

Longtime restaurant in Fortitude Valley announces closure

And on the Gold Coast, the RACV Royal Pines Resort’s signature modern Australian restaurant and 2018 delicious.100 No.55 Videre has also been given a new identity. Ditching its sophisticated dinner fare, it closed for several months and has just reinvented itself as a high tea lounge called Videre High Tea.