Acclaimed restaurant to close

3:15pm Monday 1st September 2008

DIDCOT'S first restaurant to be awarded an AA rosette is set to close its doors after less than two years in business.

Signs have been put up in the windows of Splitz restaurant, in Wantage Road, announcing that it will be replaced by an Indian eaterie. A time has not been set for the handover and the name of the new business is not known.

Splitz owner Sue Crowther, who is also a Didcot town councillor, confirmed that the restaurant would close but refused to say anything more.

The Herald reported in November 2007, in a front page article, that Splitz had received the prestigious culinary accolade of the AA rosette on its first attempt.

Head chef Chris Finnigan led the team, following more than three years' experience at Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons at Great Milton.

Splitz, which was the idea of Ms Crowther and David King, opened in 2007.

In July this year, the restaurant cut its opening times. Its website said: "Owing to the rising costs of produce and utilities due to the current credit crunch, we have decided that rather than pass these costs on to our customers, it makes better financial sense for us to temporarily not open during the day."

When it opened, the restaurant boasted a light lunch menu, express menu and an a la carte menu, with prices ranging from £8.95 to £16.95 for a main course. A special ten-course chef's experience cost £37.50.