Cucina Povera Vino Vero closed: Locks changed as restaurant spat boils over

A chef has changed the locks on the city restaurant he runs with his business partner after their simmering feud reached boiling point.

A Melbourne chef changed the locks on the city restaurant he runs with his business partner, after their simmering feud reached boiling point last week.

Cucina Povera Vino Vero, the hyped Italian eatery by Joseph Vargetto and Sydney identity Maurice Terzini, hasn’t been open since July 16 — with a Covid outbreak and staff shortages blamed for the snap closure.

It’s understood a number of personal and professional issues over recent weeks led to the demise of the duo’s relationship, and prompted Vargetto to change the locks.

This comes as Terzini told the Daily Telegraph he had initially planned to quit his iconic Bondi seaside restaurant Icebergs Dining — which is currently closed for renovations — at the end of the year, but he has since changed his mind.

Joseph Vargetto and Maurice Terzini

“In the last week I’ve seen the renovations and I’m more excited. It’s going to change the course of my life,” he told the Daily Telegraph.

“When I walked into the new kitchen I realised I can’t leave now.”

The Herald Sun understands the locks were changed over Vargetto’s concerns of the liquor licence being breached.

Cuncina Povera only traded for 13 days before the restaurant’s sudden closure, leaving hundreds of bookings in limbo.

Questions were raised of the venue’s future when customers had their upcoming reservations cancelled last week.

Texts seen by the Herald Sun curiously hint at the venue reopening, by promising a free bottle of Lambrusco for guests on their return.

“We regret to inform you that at (sic) we are experiencing a perpetual shortage of staff, both in the kitchen and in the dining room,” the text read.

Cucina Povera Vino Vera. Picture: David Caird

The last service was on July 16.

“We pride ourselves on delivering a product and level of service to a high standard which, under the circumstances, we are unable to currently provide,”

“Once we are back on track with a full team we will be in touch … Your first bottle of Lambrusco will be on us!”

Documents reveal Terzini, trading under Terzini Consulting and United Terzini, as the sole shareholder of the business name Cucina Povera Vino Vero.

It’s understood the duo has a written agreement in place which stipulates joint ownership and that the liquor license has been taken out under Vargetto’s name.

Vargetto and Terzini are now in discussions with their lawyers over who will take ownership of the venue.

An agreement is yet to be reached.

Terzini said: “I have nothing further to add”.