Boetz could be the key

Speculation the Keystone Group is poised to open a restaurant at the site of the recently closed Rushcutters Bay eatery, Neild Avenue, has stepped up a notch, with former Longrain chef Martin Boetz now linked with the project.

Boetz, who recently departed Longrain – where he presided at the wok-face since its 1999 opening – shifted focus to his farm on the Hawkesbury River, where he is growing produce for the restaurant industry.

Keystone is believed to be keen to bring a sustainable theme to the Neild Avenue site and get involved with Boetz's farming activities. No word on whether that relationship would extend to Boetz also being involved in the restaurant's kitchen.

"There isn't anything to confirm on any of it, all justideas, discussions at this stage," a spokeswoman for Keystone told Short Black. Word on the street is the venue will reopen about October.