Chef Dylan McGrath is closing two of his restaurants in Dublin with immediate effect.
The celebrity chef, who was a judge of the Irish version of Masterchef, is closing Brasserie Sixty6 and Rustic Stone in the city centre. A third restaurant, Fade Street Social, will remain open.
McGrath, who was born in Dublin and raised in Belfast, made culinary history at the age of 30 by becoming the youngest Irish chef to be awarded a coveted Michelin star back in 2008.
But now customers who have already made a booking for the closed restaurants will be contacted in the coming days.
“Looking at hospitality in the city, the time has come where we have decided it’s simply not sustainable. It’s hard to put into words what has happened to restaurants and the city centre in the last four years,” he said on Instagram.
“Brasserie Sixty6 has had 25 years in business and Rustic Stone has had 15. We would like to thank all of our customers over the years, our suppliers and all those who spent their happy times dining with us.
“No doubt we will miss the restaurants, but selling on the leases and concentrating on Fade Street Social currently is what’s needed. We wish the new occupiers all the success for the future.
“For all the great people who have worked with us over the years, that came and trained with us, that became better, and made us better, we want to say thank you.
“This is a very challenging time for stand-alone restaurant models. Rustic Stone and Brasserie Sixty6 have been very successful restaurants in Dublin City for a long time, but hospitality is changing and we believe our strong work ethic is better applied to new and different opportunities.
“We will be focused on Fade Street Social and making it the best it can be. We look forward to welcoming you in Fade Street as always.”
Anyone who attempts to book a table for the restaurants online will see the following message:
“Unfortunately, after many successful years, we’ve made the very difficult decision to close our Brasserie Sixty6 and Rustic Stone Venues.
“Both have been very successful restaurants in Dublin City for a long time, but the time has come where we have decided it’s simply not sustainable anymore.
“If you have a booking with us for the upcoming months, a member of our events team will be in contact with you over the next few days. To book a table at Fade Street Social please call 01-6040066.”