Mayfair restaurant Amethyst closes following departure of Carlo Scotto

In a statement it was confirmed that Scotto had left the Sackville Street restaurant due to differences with his business partners and would be taking a short break to consider his next role.

Amethyst opened in May last year​​ and won significant plaudits from critics and industry voices. The Guardian​'s Grace Dent called it 'one of the UK’s best restaurants'​​; and earlier this year it received four AA Rosettes​​, denoting that it is ‘among the top restaurants in the country’.

The restaurant served a 12-course tasting menu and featured a single, 20-seat chef's table in the main dining room that had been designed to accommodate different dining parties and give them their own intimate space whilst providing an interactive experience for all. 

Commenting on his departure, Scotto said: “The last 12 months has been an exciting, yet challenging journey and I’d like to thank my customers for their support. We picked up many positive reviews and accolades in our 12 months of trading, including being the only new recipient of four AA rosettes this year.

“I am going to take short break whilst I consider my options to ensure my next role that allows me to continue to showcase my passion for fine dining and commitment to delivering some of the best food in the UK.  Stay tuned, I am excited for the next chapter.”

Scotto previously worked under Angela Hartnett at Murano in Mayfair and also at Galvin La Chapelle in Spitalfields and Babbo in Mayfair. He launched his first solo restaurant, Xier, in Marylebone in 2018, but was forced to close it permanently in late 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.