First Michelin-starred restaurant to close due to Covid-19

THE Covid-19 pandemic has claimed its first Michelin-starred victim, with Vianney Massot Restaurant set to close permanently by the end of this month.

The one-starred fine-dining French eatery in Hong Kong Street, which has already stopped its takeaway and delivery service, is the most high-profile name in a string of closures that have rocked the F&B industry since the start of the virus outbreak. It also follows the shuttering of upscale Japanese sushi restaurant Hashida last month, with a parting of ways between chef Kenjiro Hashida and his partner LifeBrandz, which is said to be launching a new concept in the River Valley premises.

Chef-partner Vianney Massot declined to comment on his restaurant's closure, pending an announcement by his investors, the Ebb & Flow Group, which did not respond to queries from The Business Times.