Ponsonby restaurant Sidart to close its doors after going into liquidation
Sidart restaurant in Ponsonby is in liquidation. Photo / Babiche Martens
The famed Ponsonby Rd strip is losing another popular restaurant with award-winning Sidart in liquidation and closing its doors.
Owner and executive chef Lesley Chandra bought Sidart in 2021 from restaurateurs Sid and Chand Sahrawat, who opened the restaurant in 2009.
Sidart was named Cuisine Good Food Awards’ ‘Restaurant of the Year’ in 2019.
Chandra posted a message to Facebook this afternoon saying the decision to close Sidart was “difficult”.
“This decision was not made lightly, and we are deeply grateful for the support, memories, and experiences we’ve shared with each of you over the years,” he wrote.
“To our amazing guests, thank you for your continued patronage, your smiles, and the many conversations that turned into lasting memories. It has been an honor to serve you.”
Sid and Chand Sahrawat told the Herald they were “deeply saddened to see Sidart close its doors”.
“The past couple of years have been tough for all hospitality operators and our hearts go out to owner Lesley Chandra and his team as we know they worked extremely hard to try and keep the doors open.
“This is just another reminder that, if you can, please support your favourite hospitality and retail businesses.”
The Herald has contacted Chandra for comment.
The closure of Sidart is another blow for the local hospitality scene.
In May, Ponsonby Road Bistro closed after 18 years in business.
A month earlier, Sid and Chand Sahrawat announced they were closing the doors to their Ponsonby Rd restaurant KOL, citing challenging trading conditions. KOL has since been sold and is operated by new owners.
And last year, one of Auckland’s most famous restaurants, SPQR, closed after going into liquidation.
Cameron Smith is an Auckland-based business reporter. He joined the Herald in 2015 and has covered business and sports. He reports on topics such as retail, small business, the workplace and macroeconomics.
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