Richmond restaurants Klae and Kekou shut down amid probe into aspiring hospo king

Two renowned Melbourne restaurants tied to an aspiring hospitality tycoon now under investigation by the corporate watchdog have been shut down, leaving some customers thousands out of pocket.

Two renowned Melbourne restaurants linked to aspiring hospitality king David Anderson now under investigation by the corporate watchdog have been shut down. Source: Google

Two renowned inner-city Melbourne restaurants linked to an aspiring hospitality king now under investigation by the corporate watchdog have been shut down, leaving some deposit-paying customers thousands out of pocket.

Asian fusion restaurants Kekou and Klae, located in Richmond on Bridge Rd and Swan St respectively, are both listed as “permanently closed” online and their websites are down.

Both have been awarded a Chef’s Hat in the Australian Good Food Guide awards in recent years, spearheaded by esteemed chef Oak Kunnalok.

The financial troubles are believed to be tied to the recent liquidation of Falcon Capital, with the business and its founder David Anderson now under investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Asian fusion restaurant Kekou is located in Richmond on Bridge Rd. Source: Google

Both restaurants have been awarded a Chef’s Hat in the Australian Good Food Guide awards in recent years. Source: Google

Up until last month, Falcon Capital oversaw a group of investment funds that held the superannuation savings of more than 6000 Australians.

ASIC alleges Mr Anderson improperly funnelled money from the fund into his own personal ventures, including his vision to run a hospitality empire across Australia and other property developments.

A notice plastered to Kekou’s doors by CVA Property Consultants said landlord Sara Management Services had taken possession of the premises from Humulus Holdings and David Anderson for alleged “non-payment of rent”.

Falcon Capital director David Anderson.

“Members of the police force are asked to assist CVA Property Consultants along with and on behalf of Sara Management Services in the peaceful eviction of the tenants and the maintenance and good order of the community,” it said.

“Locksmiths and others intending on re-entering these premises on behalf of Humulus Holdings are advised that any such activity will be regarded by Sara Management Services as a criminal act and the offenders will be dealt with according to law.”

Both Kekou and Klae’s websites are listed as being owned by Mr Anderson under companies Humulus Holdings and FGC respectively.

Both Kekou and Klae’s websites are listed as being owned by Mr Anderson. Source: Google

A notice plastered to Kekou’s doors said landlord Sara Management Services had taken possession of the premises. Source: Google

Kekou customer Aidan Jonathon told the Herald Sun that he had paid $2000 for a deposit for his upcoming 30th birthday, but hadn’t received any communication from the restaurant regarding a refund.

“I’ve had zero communication with the business since their email informing me that they’d closed, which was an automatic response to an email I sent checking in on the booking,” he said.

“I paid $2000 for a deposit, which seemed large to me at the time but I was informed it was necessary to hold my date because it was a popular venue.

“It was my 30th – which is now cancelled because I don’t have another $2000 to put towards it.

“I’m trying but my bank isn’t confident they can get it back.”

It comes after Thornbury bar and bottle shop Carwyn Cellars in Melbourne’s north collapsed into administration last month, along with its owner, Fox Friday Brewers, which has taprooms in Richmond, Hobart and Perth.

Fox Friday was reportedly among several businesses Falcon Capital supported with substantial funding.

Originally published as Richmond restaurants Klae and Kekou shut down amid probe into aspiring hospo king