When Foveaux restaurant reopens later this week, it will mark eight months since the award-winning Surry Hills restaurant closed and an even longer journey, both financially and personally, for owner Darrell Felstead.
The chefs' financial struggle was publicly documented as Foveaux operated in a market moving away from fine dining, but Felstead faced another battle.
"Over a year and a half ago I had a breakdown and was diagnosed with having manic depression, it took me nearly a year to beat the illness and change my thought process. From that time forward I made the decision to change my life and take control again. I have had the amazing opportunity to have a second chance in life and in business, that's why I'm so excited about the rebirth of Foveaux St Dining and Deli Wine Bar."
The chef, who is looking to start a foundation to build awareness of mental health issues, is keen to celebrate "family, friends, food and wine" at his born-again eatery. He's given the restaurant a major redesign (by Loop Creative), remodelled the bar, which now has a separate back-street entrance.
"You'll be able to buy bread in there, and cheese and charcuterie by weight. And I've created a menu for the restaurant with different price points. It's so much more flexible," Felstead says.
