Amethyst in Mayfair, which had seemed to be one of the most successful launches of the past year, has closed following a falling out between chef Carlo Scotto (pictured, above) and his backers.

The restaurant, with its distinctive jagged communal dining table, won high praise from critics, with the Guardian’s Grace Dent drawing attention to Carlo’s complex Nordic, Japanese, Arabic and French influences.

The charismatic Neapolitan chef first came to prominence at Xier in Marylebone in the late 2010s. Signing off from Amethyst, he made clear his intention to return to the London dining scene before too long.

He said: “The last 12 months has been an exciting yet challenging journey and I’d like to thank my customers for their support. I am going to take a short break while I consider my options, to ensure my next role allows me to continue to showcase my passion for fine dining and commitment to delivering some of the best food in the UK. Stay tuned, I’m excited for the next chapter.”