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Bacchus Group Acquires Aqua

Photo: e.t./Flickr

After Aqua lost its chef and subsequently its Michelin stars, the company that’s been managing it since August has acquired the restaurant. It’s been a rough year for Aqua, where an ownership feud within the family of founder Charles Condy landed in court and drove out chef Laurent Manrique. When the list of Michelin stars dropped this week, Michelin director Jean-Luc Naret told Grub Street that Aqua had lost its two-star rating because of Manrique’s departure. Bacchus management, which operates Spruce and Village Pub, came in on a court order as a management consultant, but according to Michael Bauer, Bacchus founder Tim Stannard has a personal affection for Aqua. When the restaurant became available, Stannard made sure he put in the winning bid. Details like whether Aqua will keep the same name are still in negotiation, but we do know it will close temporarily for improvements next year.

Aqua acquired by the Village Pub/Spruce people [Between Meals/SF Gate]

Bacchus Group Acquires Aqua