Third set of liquidators searches for elusive restaurateur Ussi Da Silva who vanished owing $8m

Once touted as the “saviour of Kings Cross”, Ussi Da Silva Moniz disappeared when his venues were abruptly shuttered and went bust. Three sets of liquidators can’t find him. Or the millions he owes.

Ussi Da Silva Moniz, left, and two of his venues that went bust, Eros, top right, and Sinaloa, bottom right. Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

An elusive Sydney restaurateur owes creditors almost $8 million after the collapse of his popular eastern suburbs venues last year – but liquidators are unable to reach him, and not a single cent has been repaid.

Ussi Moniz Da Silva hasn’t been seen since his Kings Cross and Double Bay nightclubs quickly shut up shop following claims of staff underpayments and failure to pay suppliers and landlords.

While it’s believed he is hiding out in Timor Leste, liquidators have discovered he owes a huge $7.6 million to creditors – more than $5 million of which is related to unpaid rent.

Da Silva was a flashy figure in the eastern suburbs until he disappeared in the wake of his business dramas, posting his movements in luxury cars and clothes all over Instagram.

Now he’s a ghost with no social media profiles, no contact phone numbers or emails and a horde of angry creditors waiting to be repaid.

Elusive former bar owner and restaurateur Ussi Da Silva Moniz.

Da Silva’s hot spots, including Maali nightclub in Potts Point, Eros restaurant next door, Sinaloa in Double Bay, Meu Jardim on Kent Street and Kings Cross Pavilion closed suddenly in February last year.

Liquidators were appointed last year to try and recover cash owed to a slew of creditors – but with just $6 in his company bank accounts, it seems unlikely.

Meu Jardim in Kent St opened to much fanfare in early 2020.

Da Silva boasted about the $4 million fit-out, at the time saying “you ring a doorbell, there is a waterfall and an oyster shucking station as you walk in.”

But liquidators’ reports have revealed the failed attempt at a “New York style” bar restaurant has left creditors $6,985,880 out of pocket.

Da Silva, who is listed as the director of the company, owes more than $4.6 million alone to the landlord of his Kent Street venue.

Maali at Potts Point was another of the venues to abruptly close. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The ATO has also put in a claim for unpaid staff superannuation totalling $322,995.

Fair Work is also investigating claims of underpayment or non payment of staff wages.

Further to the debts owed in relation to Meu Jardim – Da Silva owes a further $630,000 to creditors involved with Sinaloa and Maali.

Tax debts clocked $21,000, while $100,000 is owed to a company owned by Fitness First founder, Tony de Leede.

In their reports, liquidators have also raised concerns that Da Silva may have been trading insolvent and “breached his duties” with “unreasonable” transactions.

Three different liquidators responsible for winding up Da Silva’s failed ventures have told the Telegraph none of his debts have been recovered – and he has never responded to any of their attempts at contact.

“He has been non-compliant throughout the liquidation,” one liquidator said.

“Even with the assistance from ASIC we have been unable to locate his whereabouts, and understand that he may be residing overseas.”

The Telegraph’s attempts to contact Da Silva have also been unsuccessful.