Mazen Tabet secures Julien Moussi to ex-Matilda space
Scott Pickett has sold the Matilda 159 leasehold, days after closing the South Yarra venue after almost a decade.
The buyer is another operator, Julien Moussi, whose Only Hospitality will reopen the restaurant next month as Mediterranean venue Kiki’s Tavern.
The space occupies part of 157-159 Domain Road, a four-storey, 12-suite boutique hotel opposite the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Investor Mazen Tabet bought the freehold from developer Darren Rubenstein for $20 million in March.
The leasehold added $5m.
The hotel trades as United Places.
Moussi doubles down in South Yarra
Mr Moussi’s new venue will run from breakfast through to late-night trade, closing at midnight.
Executive chef Chris Rendell, formerly of Rockpool and New York’s Flinders Lane, will lead the kitchen, with Sanny Liu, formerly of Chancery Lane and Matilda 159, as head chef.
The deal comes months after Mr Moussi opened the Godby Hotel at 163 Toorak Road, South Yarra (continues below).
The hospitality executive bought that property – and ex-train first class lounge later trading as the Rah Bar nightclub – for $3.8m in 2024.
Scott Pickett resets
Mr Pickett’s hospitality group collapsed into voluntary administration last year owing $27.2m.
The group’s financial troubles followed the collapse of former backer First Guardian Master Fund, which had provided funding to Pickett-linked businesses, Rogue Traders and SP Group Services.
Pickett has since secured Salter Brothers as a financial backer.
He has also taken over Collingwood’s Gasometer Hotel, reopening it as the Smith St Hotel.
The leasehold to that asset previously traded in 2021 for $350,000.
The chef plans to revive the Matilda brand at another Melbourne site.
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