Brothers divide Toko restaurant empire

You know a business split has been rough when the media release on the division of restaurant assets is delivered by a law firm.

Brothers Al and Matt Yazbek, who are behind the Toko restaurant empire, have been in and out of court, the case revolving around the will of their late brother Daniel. The upshot is Matt has bought Al out of Toko, purchasing Toko Paddington, which Al had been running.

Matt closed the restaurant for a major overhaul and will reopen it on July 1.

Al has taken the former Spence & Lyda site on Foster Street, Surry Hills, where he will open Nomad in early September.

''I want to create a cellar door in the city,'' Al says.

Nomad will even have its own master of wine in residence.

''We've applied for [a licence], so if you like what you are drinking, you'll be able to take a bottle or case home,'' Al says.

The Mediterranean menu doesn't sound too shabby either. Former Alira chef Nathan Sasi, who has just returned to Sydney after spells in the kitchen at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London and Husk in South Carolina, will lead Nomad's kitchen.