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Hospo stars’ bitter feud believed to be behind Cucina Povera Vino Vero closure

Less than a month after opening, the hyped restaurant by Sydney hospo kingpin Maurice Terzini and Melbourne chef Joseph Vargetto has suddenly closed. Here’s why.

Empty seats inside Cucina Povera Vino Vero.
Empty seats inside Cucina Povera Vino Vero.

A bitter feud between two hospo stars is believed to be behind the sudden closure of CBD restaurant Cucina Povera Vino Vero.

Just two weeks after opening, the anticipated new venue by Sydney hospo kingpin and Iceberg’s founder Maurice Terzini and Melbourne chef Joseph Vargetto closed suddenly last fortnight.

At the time, a Covid outbreak was blamed for the closure.

But eyebrows were raised when customers began questioning the new restaurant’s future after their bookings were cancelled this week.

Maurice Terzini. Picture: Justin Lloyd.
Maurice Terzini. Picture: Justin Lloyd.
Joey Vargetto. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Joey Vargetto. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The issue came to light after NewsCorp journalist John Lethlean questioned the restaurant’s closure on Instagram on Friday night.

Joseph Vargetto told the Herald Sun: “It is very unfortunate that it has come to this situation but we have had to close Cucina Povera for the time being.”

Terzini told the Herald Sun he would not be making any further comment at this time.

Terzini said on Instagram on Saturday: “Been a tough start … we are working through it all and hope to have sorted next week,”

“Had a series of unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances affecting our ability to do what we do best.”

The rumour mill has been in overdrive in hospo circles in recent weeks.

Cucina Povera Vino Vera was Terzini’s first Melbourne restaurant in more than one decade, after launching Bondi’s hugely successful Iceberg’s restaurant.

Vargetto is no stranger to Melbourne’s hospo scene, behind Kew’s Mister Bianco and former CBD venue Massi.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bitter-fued-erupts-between-two-hospo-stars-believed-to-be-behind-cucina-povera-vino-vero-closure/news-story/fd2821441f2bd71d230520cd76861393