Melbourne restaurant Gauge closes its doors after 13 years – as its owner reveals what sunk the venue

A top Melbourne restaurant has closed its doors after more than a decade as rising costs and the cost of living crisis continue to hit Australians hard.

Zeth Romanis served end customers at his stylish bistro Gauge in Ormond on Saturday afternoon, after deciding to close the shop.

The location served items such as eye tenderloin steak with Café de Paris butter and fries for $55 and swordfish with sautéed kale for $43.

The restaurant was popular with locals who loved the upscale menu, but he decided to take time out of his business and say goodbye.

“Thank you Ormond for all your support over the past thirteen years, but it’s time for a break,” Romanis wrote on Instagram.

Mr Romanis explained that he believed Gauge had been negatively affected by interest rates because it was in an affluent area

“It has been a privilege to be part of this community. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on our journey from an espresso bar to a bistro.

“Thank you to the staff who helped shape Gauge into what it has become today. Thanks to our suppliers, some of whom we are fortunate to have as customers.’

Mr Romanis explained that he believed Gauge had been adversely affected by interest rates because it was in an affluent area with many nice – and expensive – homes in the area.

The restaurateur appeared on The Project on Monday evening to discuss the pressures facing the hospitality industry.

“The last few years have been very difficult,” he said.

‘Ultimately, a company is driven by the operating result. You can get awards and your customers can tell you you’re great, but if at some point the end result doesn’t work, you have to say ‘enough is enough’.”

When asked how he was feeling, he said: ‘It was an exciting week. A lot of people came in to say goodbye. I leave the company on a bittersweet note with very fond memories of the past week.”

The restaurant was popular with locals who loved the upscale menu

Mr. Romanis said the fact that he was actually closing didn’t hit him until he served a regular customer for the last time this weekend.

He said Gauge was not too badly affected by Covid as they had a booming coffee business and had around 400 customers a day, but after the pandemic ended the difficulty of hiring staff and higher food costs led to its demise .

But he said “hospitality is not all doom and gloom,” and said he would “take more time for family and restart.”