Cara & Co to close in Westfield Sydney

Cara & Co, the luxe Sydney concept store that marries Belgian gastronomy with fashion and accessories, is set to close after going into voluntary administration. Its upmarket restaurant has already served its last meal.

The move is a further blow to the dining credentials of Westfield Sydney, which has already seen upmarket restaurants Becasse and Spiedo depart its glitzy CBD showpiece.

A Cara & Co spokesman says they had hoped to continue to trade after going into voluntary administration late last week. “But after meeting with Westfield, the restaurant will close today [Monday] and the shop will close in coming weeks,” he adds.

Cara & Co's restaurant opened with a splash in August 2011, with chef David De Belder from Antwerp restaurant De Godevaart responsible for the cuisine.

The menu marched to the beat of its own drum rather than follow Sydney trends. Nitrogen-blasted orange zest, anchovy foam and cubes of gin and tonic mango jelly were just a few of the culinary tricks.

Reviewers were mesmerised by the lush fit-out, the Herald's restaurant critic Terry Durack describing the restaurant as looking like a “1970s disco, complete with catwalk ramp”.

Cara & Co was ambitious in its intent, operating under the motto “No Logos Fashion Only”. The store saw itself like a gallery or museum, often displaying its wares as exhibits. Cara & Co's entrepreneurial owner, Roza Alpert, has kept a low profile in recent times, her latest mention in the media was back in August when she listed her Potts Point home for sale.