The curtain will finally come down on Toko restaurant's impressive 14-year run in its Surry Hills digs next year, with one of the city's emerging restaurateurs nabbing the site.

A "for lease" sign appeared earlier this year at the Crown Street site, Toko owner Matt Yazbek having told Good Food in October he was still trying to renegotiate lease terms.

But high-profile operators were already linked with the site, and Andrew Becher, owner of Potts Point's glam Franca Brasserie, confirms he has just finalised a deal with the landlord.

"I get the keys in May," he tells Good Food. "It's going to be a Parisian brasserie."

Becher has almost decided on a moniker. "I've gone through 300 names and got it down to three," he says.

"Steel and Stitch will do the design. It'll be a Parisian brasserie, but not kitsch. It'll be super luxe, super high-end, in my style," the restaurateur explains.

The Crown Street site has plenty of history for culinary chroniclers. At one time it was home to the era-defining MG Garage. Toko's owner couldn't be reached for comment, but it is expected to trade until May.

And the Toko name will live on. Yazbek previously confirmed he is negotiating on sites for expansion into the city. There has also been Toko-talk on the eats streets of Double Bay.