The popular Dumplings & Beer restaurant on Darlinghurst's Stanley Street has closed after its owner passed away just over a month ago.
A former emergency room doctor, owner and chef Rose Ly-Schmitz died on June 28, a newspaper funeral notice shows. She was 72.
The closure in recent weeks of the Darlinghurst venue follows the company’s sister restaurant in Potts Point announcing in February that it would shutter.
Ly-Schmitz was the sole director and shareholder of Dumplings & Beer, company records from the corporate regulator ASIC show.
A “for lease" sign was spotted outside the company’s Stanley Street venue in Darlinghurst on Monday.
A notice on the business' website reads: "Please note due to the deceased [sic] of the owner of Dumplings & Beer the restaurant is now closed permanently”.
A funeral notice published in The Sydney Morning Herald on July 5 reads: "It is with great sadness that the family announce her sudden passing on Wednesday, 28th June.
"Rose will be lovingly remembered by her siblings Paul, Jean, Janet, Alex and Terry (deceased) and numerous other family members and friends. Rose was predeceased by her parents, Anna and Basil.
"A dedicated ER doctor for many years and a masterful mover and shaker, hard-working, resilient and persevering human being who was loved by many.”
In August 2020 Schmitz told "The Sauce App" Facebook page that she worked day and night in the kitchen crafting her famous dumplings.
“My favourite thing to do? I’m always working!" she said, adding that she loved the Saturday farmers market.
"I have actually been fortunate that the restaurant has been able to make it through COVID-19 and all that came with it," she said then.
"We are lucky to have a good landlord. My philosophy has been to live this day by day, leave my faith in the hands of god, he has been good to me.
"It’s pointless worrying and best to have faith.”
Her favourite dish? “Oh you must try the prawn and chive gow gee!”
The company’s Darlinghurst venue opened in 2016.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: [email protected]
