• Cucina Povera Vino Vero is an Italian restaurant like no other

In a swift turn of events, chef Joseph Vargetto and restaurateur Maurice Terzini have temporarily closed their Melbourne CBD restaurant Cucina Povera Vino Vero just one month after opening.

Good Food understands the pair are in discussions to end their partnership and Vargetto has offered the lease (due to expire on August 15), liquor licence and business to Terzini. He is awaiting a response from Terzini's lawyers.

"It's his call at the moment," says Vargetto, who adds that he has concerns about the level of risk he is carrying as the nominee on the liquor licence.

"No comment from me," says Terzini. "Any issues are confidential at this stage."

If Terzini chooses not to continue operating Cucina Povera, Vargetto is considering opening another restaurant in the Little Collins Street space, which previously housed his venue Massi.

The pair dreamed up the restaurant, an homage to Italian migrant cooking and culture, last year and have spent nine months readying it for business.

The restaurant, Terzini's first in Melbourne in nine years, held its last service on July 16. A sign currently affixed to the door states that staffing issues are preventing it from trading.