By Goya Dmytryshchak
An iconic Williamstown restaurant that went into liquidation to repay a tax debt, unpaid creditors and workers’ wages has reopened with a different name and new owners.
Sirens closed after the Australian Tax Office petitioned the Supreme Court for the restaurant to be sold to recoup unpaid taxes from the restaurant’s parent company, Sarah Georgiou.
The beachfront venue on the Esplanade has reopened as Shellys Beach Pavilion, boasting a new, full menu since last weekend and daily seafood-inspired specials.
As reported by
Star Weekly in October, liquidator David Vasudevan said Sirens had closed because it “wasn’t generating sufficient money to meet existing commitments”.
“It was certainly a loss-making business when we walked in,” he said at the time.
Head chef Steve Jang, who hails from Bluestone Grill and now heads Shellys, is optimistic about the new venture.
Together with chef Yumi Komoda, who worked at Nobu, Mr Jang said he had designed a “unique and exciting” menu.
“We will ensure customer service is of a high standard at all times,” he said. “We have employed local staff who are very skilled.
“We will be operating a Friday, Saturday and Sunday breakfast menu, and intend to have a jazz/acoustic theme Friday and Saturday nights.”
Asked why they didn’t keep the iconic Sirens name, Mr Jang said: “We didn’t keep the name because we wanted to do something new and innovative for the local residents while preserving the heritage of the venue. Hence the name, after Shellys beach, which is neighboring to the venue.”
