Michelin-winning Molti Amici restaurant in Healdsburg suddenly closed

After opening last year under the management of two former SingleThread chiefs, Molti AmiciThe North Bay’s newest restaurant to receive a coveted award Michelin California Apron Gourmand awardIt announced that it would close completely on Sunday.

“As of November 3, 2024, Molti Amici is permanently closed,” the restaurant’s Facebook page read. “We thank our community, patrons, and employees for the continued support.”

The Italian restaurant was scheduled to be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, but calls to its phone number went unanswered.

Man listed as owner and managing director of Molti Amici on its websiteJonny Barr confirmed the shutdown to The Press Democrat, saying in a text message that “it is true” but “has no context.”

Barr, who also worked at SingleThread in Healdsburg, once considered one of the best restaurants in the world, said he turned Molti Amici operations over to restaurant CEO Jason Cutrer over the summer and has since moved out of state. “I suggest you reach out to Jason as I have no further information,” Barr texted.

Reached later by email on Sunday, Cutrer said: “Unfortunately, the financial situation of the restaurant was not good enough to continue. We are all sorry and wish the best to our staff and everyone who visits and loves us.”

“I will be glad when there is some turnaround in the industry. “We are giving severance pay to our staff and we hate having to make such a difficult decision.”

The announcement follows two reports in The Press Democrat in July detailing alleged embezzlement at the restaurant.

It was unclear Sunday whether police were continuing to investigate the allegation. Cutrer and Barr said it was resolved in mid-July because of the withdrawal. Police, from late July refused to confirm the case was closed.

The allegation was captured in a brief Healdsburg police record on June 4 when someone claiming to have ownership of Molti Amici called police and told the responding officer that the “co-owner/business partner” “had no money invested in the business.” It covers several months, from September 2023 to February 2024.

Police records also stated, “Total amount $60,000.”

According to the log, the defendant told the reporter that he used the money to pay restaurant vendors directly “instead of making a deposit,” but the person who called police said that information was “fake.”

A search of court records in several Bay Area counties found no cases among people known to be affiliated with Molti Amici.

Molti Amici opened in the former Campo Fina restaurant space in July 2023, under the management of former SingleThread chefs Sean McGaughey and Melissa Yanc. McGaughey and Yanc, who are married, own Healdsburg’s Quail & Condor Bakery, the Troubadour, and Le Diner, a prix-fixe diner at the Troubadour. Molti Amici, Sonoma Magazine’s “Best Openings of 2023”With its range of wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas and handcrafted cocktails.

After the embezzlement allegation came to light, Yanc told The Press Democrat that he and McGaughey had previously left Molti Amici. The two remain listed as executive chef (McGaughey) and executive pastry chef (Yanc). Molti Amici website.

Yanc and McGaughey are not listed as owners of Molti Amici on job applications in California.

Asked why the couple left Molti Amici, Yanc said via text message in July: “Nothing went wrong for us. We devote our time to where it is needed most. Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.”

The closure of Molti Amici marks a dramatic turn of events; The Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction is given to restaurants that serve good food at reasonable prices, and Molti Amici was the only new restaurant in the North Bay to receive this award in August.

He joins Ciccio (Yountville), El Molino Central (Sonoma), FolkTable (Sonoma), Glen Ellen Star (Glen Ellen), Khom Loi (Sebastopol), Ramen Gaijin (Sebastopol), Stockhome (Petaluma) and Valley (Sonoma). all retained Michelin Bib Gourmand honors.

Other winners keeping their stars in 2023 new California Michelin GuideThey include SingleThread (3 stars), The French Laundry in Yountville (3 stars) and Harbor House in Elk (2 stars). Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford), Auro (Calistoga), Cyrus (Geyserville), Kenzo (Napa) and Press (St. Helena) maintained their single-star status.