Diner’s Diary | Why Stone Nullah Tavern had to shut: it wasn’t making enough money, owner says
- Fini’s, ‘a brand that everyone loves’ according to owner Todd Darling, will replace Stone Nullah Tavern in Wan Chai
- ‘We need to be maximising resources,’ he says of the switch, and laments customers didn’t understand tavern’s New American cuisine concept
The announcement in December that Stone Nullah Tavern would close was a shock to regulars and fans of the Hong Kong restaurant known for its cheap drinks, hearty burgers and s’mores served in a skillet. But for the Wan Chai establishment’s owner, Todd Darling of Red Sauce Hospitality, it’s strictly a business decision.
“Stone Nullah Tavern wasn’t as productive [as it could be]. We’re not a big company and we need to be maximising resources,” he said.
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“We made money off drinks here, but I didn’t think that seven years ago when we opened. We started with a small plates menu serving New American cuisine, but people didn’t understand what it was, so we then switched to a traditional American menu. Then it became a drinks place.”
Darling says this arrangement didn’t meet his expectations.
