WELL-KNOWN Queensland restaurateur John Kilroy, whose company Boutique Venues runs some high-profile eateries in Brisbane and the Northern Territory, has gone to the police about an online smear campaign against him and his restaurant Cha Cha Char.
An elaborate mock website for "Cha Cha Chuck Wine Bar & Grill" went viral last week with graphic images and a lot of defamatory text. However, according to Boutique's general manager Chris Higgins, police believe the site breaches identity theft laws and is therefore a crime, written as it is in a manner that purports to be the "voice" of Kilroy. "It's fairly childish bordering on demented," says Higgins, who believes he knows who is responsible. He claims the smear campaign has its origins in a personal dispute. However, he says Queensland Police's cyber crime unit is investigating the prank via a US-based web host, Go Daddy.
THINGS are looking rosy for Melbourne chef Philippa Sibley, who has a new book and a new gig to celebrate. Sibley will join two veterans of the hospitality industry, Stuart Brookshaw and Ruth Giffney, at a new Brunswick venture later this year as executive chef. Although best known as a desserts specialist (the subject of her forthcoming book, PS Desserts), Sibley will be across all aspects of food at Albert St Food & Wine when it opens in November. It will be a bar, restaurant, cafe and produce store. "It's going to be a really good year," says Sibley, who has been temping at Melbourne Wine Room recently.
CHEF Damien Pignolet will stay on as a consultant to Sydney's Bistro Moncur when the famous Woollahra Hotel changes hands on July 4. Pignolet and his business partners put the hotel's freehold on the market earlier this year to refinance debts. Agent Mike Wheatley, of Knight Frank, confirms the price was more than $16 million. The purchaser is John Ryan who already operates, with family company Ryans Hotels, seven bars and pubs including the Ship Inn and Ryan's Bar. According to Wheatley, Ryan - a good friend of restaurateur Guillaume Brahimi - plans to better exploit the hotel's upstairs terrace. It's understood Ryan is keen to involve Brahimi.
THE Misschu juggernaut rolls on with news of more outlets planned for Sydney. The diminutive, self-styled queen of rice paper rolls has a handshake deal to go into a Surry Hills pub that's about to change hands. The pub is on the radar of Sydney property investor Greg McGree, who already owns several hospitality venues, including the premises diners know as Porteno. The third Misschu outlet, a flash new site in Bondi nearby Sonoma bakery and the forthcoming La Macelleria meat shop, is due to open in July.
FOR those of us who missed the Sydney Writers Festival's session with Adrian Gill and Anthony Bourdain, moderated by Tony Bilson, the ABC has kindly made it available as a stream or download. Mildly entertaining.
SYDNEY restaurateur Luke Mangan (Glass Brasserie) is looking for a site to set up a wine bar. "Just something small, casual, maybe with a bit of a Spanish feel. The sort of place I'd feel comfortable sitting at the bar having a glass of wine and a snack. We won't be looking for chef's hats, if you know what I mean." Mangan confirms he's looked at the recently closed Tabou site but says it is too big. Paddington, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst are the targeted suburbs.
MELBOURNE openings of note roll on. Last week it was St Katherine's, the latest venture from the Press Club Group (George Calombaris) with Maha's Shane Delia taking a leading role. Operations partner George Sykiotis says it's the project of which he is most proud thus far. This week it's Chin Chin, Chris Lucas's modern Thai restaurant in the CBD's Flinders Lane. Early word on the food of chef Andrew Gimber (ex-Jimmy Liks, Sydney) is very encouraging. They swing open the doors Thursday.
By: John Lethlean and Necia Wilden
Source: The Australian
