Michelin star boosts Locks Brasserie

The winning of a coveted Michelin star last year greatly improved the fortunes of Sebastien Masi’s Locks Brasserie restaurant, recording profits of over €100,000.

According to accounts lodged with the Companies Office, the company that operates the French fine dining restaurant at Portobello in Dublin, William Elliott Ltd, was brought out of the red last year with profits of €103,337.

This resulted in the firm’s accumulated loss of €2,613 becoming an accumulated profit of €100,724 in the 12 months to the end of Oct 31.

The firm’s cash pile also increased from €112,250 to €129,346.

The Locks Brasserie last September won its first Michelin star.

The 2012 financial performance at Locks Brasserie was a great improvement on 2011 when the firm reduced its accumulated losses by €43,409 from €46,022 to €2,613, with its cash pile increasing from €76,137 to €112,250.

A French chef working in Ireland for the past 19 years, Mr Masi took ownership of the Locks Brasserie in 2010 having operated the more established Pearl Brasserie on Dublin’s Merrion Street since 2000.

Mr Masi could not be reached for comment yesterday. However, speaking in the aftermath of securing the Michelin star last year, Mr Masi said that the first year of the restaurant being in operation was “difficult financially”.

Separate accounts for Mr Masi’s other restaurant, Pearl Brasserie, show its accumulated profits rose €87,975, going from €616,655 to €704,630 in the 12 months to the end of Oct 31.

The firm’s cash pile rose €124,942, from €81,016 to €205,958.