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Capaldi to close Hare & Grace, Rialto forecourt to become food hub

Hilary McNevin

Chef Raymond Capaldi is closing his restaurant Hare & Grace.
Chef Raymond Capaldi is closing his restaurant Hare & Grace.Jesse Marlow

Chef Raymond Capaldi is set to close his CBD restaurant Hare & Grace after what he says has been a rewarding five years. Owners of the Rialto, Grollo Australia and St Martin's Victoria, informed Capaldi that they intend to significantly develop the forecourt site, and that there would not be adequate access to the restaurant during the build. Capaldi subsequently sold the restaurant to his landlords, and all parties are happy with the settlement.

The last dinner service at Hare & Grace, which was awarded a hat by the Age Good Food Guide last year, will be Friday, May 1. After the restaurant closes, Capaldi says he will take a short break and then look to open a business that focuses on events and functions, something that became a staple for Hare & Grace, and "potentially a small a la carte restaurant".

Meanwhile, the redevelopment of the Rialto forecourt has been in the offing for a number of years, says Matthew O'Halloran, executive director of the Grollo Group. O'Halloran says the plan is to create the Rialto precinct as "a bit of a food mecca", though there has been no confirmation on what will go into the new forecourt, with broad concepts such as European or Asian flavours still being considered. Works are due to begin in the next two to three months, and are expected to be completed within 18 months.

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