A renowned Michelin-starred restaurant in Leeds, The Man Behind the Curtain, known for its famous lobster dish, is set to close its doors at the end of the year. However, fans of the restaurant's chef, Michael O'Hare, need not despair as he plans to reopen the establishment as Psycho Sandbar, a "fish-heavy" restaurant with a "surf shack" vibe and a brutalist design. The restaurant will undergo a refit starting in January of next year.
Famed for Its Lobster Dish
The Man Behind the Curtain gained acclaim for its unconventional and idiosyncratic approach to cuisine. One of its most famous dishes, named "From Dali to Delhi," was inspired by Salvador Dali's Lobster Telephone artwork. The restaurant received one Michelin star for its innovative culinary style.
Change in Menu and Reasoning
O'Hare recently made changes to the restaurant's menu, offering a more affordable "Menu Rapide" option. He cited the impact of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cost of living crisis as the reasons for the changes. In a video posted on Instagram, O'Hare announced that Psycho Sandbar would still offer fine dining but would be more accessible to guests.
Continuity and New Offerings
Psycho Sandbar will be operated by the same team and company behind The Man Behind the Curtain. The new restaurant will feature dishes such as grilled fish and pitta bread with plankton, as well as a selection of champagne and cocktails. The current restaurant is still open for reservations until the end of the year and is offering pre-Christmas sales to fund the new venture.
Chef Michael O'Hare
O'Hare has an impressive culinary background, having worked at renowned restaurants such as L'Ortolan and Noma. He has also made appearances on popular TV shows like Great British Menu, MasterChef, and Saturday Kitchen. O'Hare returned to Great British Menu in 2023 as a mentor to the competing chefs.
Challenges in the Restaurant Industry
The closure of The Man Behind the Curtain comes at a challenging time for the restaurant business. Other notable closures include Lu Ban in Liverpool and various branches of Frankie and Benny's and Byron Burger. The hospitality sector as a whole continues to face difficulties in recovering from the pandemic, compounded by rising energy costs and inflation.
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