The Grossi family has ended its association with Puttanesca, the flagship restaurant at the Clifton Hotel, owned until recently by Public Hospitality Group.

The Kew Junction pub, built in 1868, had been vacant for many years before its splashy reopening in August 2023, which marked Sydney-based Public Hospitality’s first serious move into the Melbourne market.

At the time, restaurateur-chef Guy Grossi told Good Food, “For me, a new project has to feel right and be fun. When I’m here, and I look around, I feel good about it.”

It’s safe to say the good feels are gone.

“We don’t share the same business values so we couldn’t continue with the association,” said the Grossi family, as part of an announcement on Monday that all ties had been severed with the restaurant and Public Hospitality.

“Grossi Group was engaged as a supplier of consulting services to the Puttanesca Osteria restaurant operated by Public Hospitality Group,” the family said.

“We have never been involved in the day-to-day operations of Public Hospitality Group. We can confirm we have now ceased our arrangement with Public Hospitality Group and will no longer be involved with Puttanesca Osteria.”

Owned by former KPMG dealmaker turned publican Jon Adgemis, Public Hospitality disintegrated after refinancing in 2024. Many businesses within the group collapsed, including Sydney’s Oxford House, The Norfolk and Strand Hotel.

Last September, Good Food reported that Puttanesca’s future was uncertain as Public Hospitality’s financial woes affected several businesses. “We are waiting to see what’s happening and trying to work through everything,” said Grossi Restaurants co-owner Elizabeth Grossi-Rodriguez at the time.

Since November 1, Linchpin Hospitality has been running the Clifton Hotel. It has also taken control of three of the group’s former Sydney venues – the Empire Hotel, Lady Hampshire and Bayswater Hotel.

Linchpin’s management team includes chief executive Terry Soukoulis and well-known chef George Calombaris. Soukoulis previously managed Hotel Sorrento, where Calombaris also had ties.

“There aren’t many changes at Puttanesca,” says restaurant manager Johnny Mathias, also a Hotel Sorrento alumnus. “It’s still Italian food.”

The menu retains Mamma’s Lasagne, which Guy Grossi was proud to introduce to Kew. “It’s our nonna’s recipe for bolognese sauce with bechamel and pasta sheets, gooey and yummy,” he said in 2023.

Public’s second Melbourne venue was Saint George in St Kilda, with chef Karen Martini at the helm. Mathias also worked there. He says Linchpin briefly oversaw the venue but was no longer involved.

Saint George is still accepting online bookings, but the phone number on the website is disconnected.

Martini was approached for comment but did not respond before publication.

Correction: an earlier version of this story stated that Linchpin Hospitality now owns the Clifton Hotel. In fact, Linchpin is the operator of the hotel.