Shock closure of one-month-old Harvest in South Yarra

Chef Tim Martin is looking to relocate barely one month after opening his first restaurant, Harvest.

While the ex-European chef is unable to give details of the circumstances that have led to him walking away from the business he has been building for over a year, he says he is looking to re-open in a new location and has released the following statement.

"It came to my attention that the venue from which I have been operating is currently in the middle of a legal dispute between third parties, not involving myself. Due to this dispute the future of the venue is unclear which, in turn, jeopardises the longevity of my business. Therefore, I am forced to stop operations immediately and search for another venue.

"It is a shame to close such a promising business that I am confident was going to be a success and that already was getting great feedback from customers but these circumstances are out of my control. It is by no means the end of my restaurant and I will be looking for a better suited site to pick up from where we left off."

The business has stopped trading, but Martin hopes to be back in business soon.

In better news for South Yarra, which is otherwise having a culinary moment, Turkish chef Murat Ovaz has now opened his restaurant Yagiz, and Bar Carolina has also opened from the Sarti and Il Bacaro crew.