It was a partnership that might have been made in heaven, with a turnover to make the mouth water. But yesterday it all came crashing down in the High Court.
Diep le Shaker, an upmarket Thai and Chinese cuisine restaurant in Pembroke Lane, Dublin, opened just five months ago and, as the High Court heard yesterday, is already heading for a turnover of £1.5 million a year.
However, the two men behind the success, Mr Simon Lee, the manager, and Mr Matthew Farrell, the managing director, have fallen out. Yesterday Mr Lee, otherwise known as Kwok Keung Lee, of Giltspur Woods, Bray, Co Wicklow, was granted an interim injunction restraining Cabrich Ltd, which operates the restaurant, and Killardport Ltd, leaseholder of the premises, from terminating his contract of employment.
Mr Justice O'Sullivan heard that Mr Lee, who was headhunted from the highly successful Wong's chain of Chinese restaurants, had played a big part in the success of Diep le Shaker, named after fashionable restaurants in Paris and London.
However, Mr Roddy Horan, counsel for Mr Lee, told the court he had been removed summarily from his position at a meeting of directors of Cabrich Ltd in the South County Dublin Hotel on Sunday, September 5th.
Mr Lee told the court that Mr Farrell had persuaded him to come in with him in the new venture for a 40 per cent interest in the restaurant. As Mr Farrell had no restaurant experience whatsoever he (Mr Lee) had set it up and hired staff. Gradually Mr Farrell had become more intrusive, with a primary concern to increase profits and reduce costs, according to Mr Lee.
He said Mr Farrell started making inappropriate comments to customers and resorted to flashing lights late in the evening to hasten their departure. He had a tendency to utter rude comments within earshot of customers, mainly when he felt they had remained too long at a table which he felt could be "turned over" a second time. When Mr Lee told Mr Farrell he had no intention of compromising his personal and professional reputation, Mr Farrell had asked if he was going to resign.
The September 5th meeting had been called to discuss accounts and expenses, and he was told to resign or he would be dismissed.
Mr Horan said Mr Lee was presented with a prepared letter of resignation which he refused to sign, followed by a prepared letter of dismissal summarily dismissing him.
Judge O'Sullivan granted the interim injunction, and the matter has been returned until Thursday.