Peter and Juliet Colman opened Le Cochonnet in Lauderdale Parade in 1985, but the restaurant – whose name means piglet – now appears to be closed.
A photo of a notice – in the name of Peter and Juliet – appearing to be on a menu outside of the restaurant has been posted on Nextdoor.
The sign reads: “Due to recent circumstances beyond our control Cochonnet is now closed until further notice.
“We would like to extend heartfelt thanks to our many loyal and wonderful customers who have supported us over the years. We wish you all the best for the future. Peter and Juliet.”
The restaurant billed itself as having “a beach-cafe vibe, serving classic Italian dishes and gourmet pizza”.
According to its website, Peter had owned the building since the mid-seventies when he ran a design partnership from the premises.
But when the business outgrew the space he decided to turn it into a wine bar, teaming up with Graham Thomson who had previously managed the Cork and Bottle.
The website says: “Thus ‘Le COCHONИeT’ – ‘the piglet’ was born – the theme was a classic French bistro bar with a really well selected international wine list, and after a lot of hard work, the bar and restaurant was finally opened.
“The opening party has become legendary with hundreds of guests, both friends and old customers of Peter’s and Graham’s and of course a number of bemused locals who were eager to see what the fuss was all about.”
Graham left the venture and they later expanded into the next door premises, built a conservatory and open kitchen, and changed the menu to serve Mediterranean predominantly Italian cuisine with gourmet pizzas introduced in 1994.
Under a post on the Next Door app one wrote of the notice: “omg. Le Cochonnet !! After all these years, it will be very missed.”
While another added: “Wow would never have thought always loved that place.”
A third wrote: “Went there last week Friday, exceptional food and professional staff. WA planning another visit. very sad I hope the staff are ok.”
While some said they had been regulars there for decades: “Oh no that’s sad. Love this place. Been going for years and years. Hope everyone are ok.”
