The former Gordon Ramsay lieutenant cited ‘today’s tough trading conditions’ but also alluded to a difference in opinion with his backers.
“This is not an easy decision that has been taken lightly but and the uncertain future have simply left me no choice but to turn the lights off and close the doors of The Brasserie MS,” the chef wrote in an Instagram post.
“I opened to rave reviews in August, but sadly my backers don’t share my same vision of restaurant excellence!”
Sargeant - who launched the restaurant in August last year - confirmed that his team and suppliers would be paid in full and that all pre-paid bookings would be compensated.
The project, which was added to the Michelin Guide's website only last week, saw the former Rocksalt and Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s chef ‘go back to his roots’ with a menu of classical French cuisine featured reimagined classics alongside ‘more contemporary ideas’.
Dishes included pressed duck liver and wood pigeon terrine with Madeira jelly and truffle dressing; tart of braised beef, pomme puree, onion confit, sauce verte and sherry caramel; a take on duck a l'orange; and a pig’s trotter dish inspired by Pierre Koffmann.
The space had an Art Deco feel, echoing some of the great restaurants of the late 90s, with Sargeant saying a the time that he wanted to bring back ‘casual elegance’ after spending the last 15 years offering a more casual dining experience.
In 2021 the Kent-born chef walked away from his flagship and the rest of his Folkestone-centric Rocksalt Group citing “unresolvable differences of opinion” between him and business partner Josh De Haan.
