SINCE the 1950s, the Trebino family have been serving up classic French dishes such as Escargots de Bourgogne – snails and garlic – or Carré d’agneau persillé – a herb-encrusted leg of lamb.

But two weeks ago, their French restaurant, Le Cellier du Midi in Church Row, Hampstead, was sold at auction bringing an end to decades of Gallic grub.

The Trebinos were unavailable for comment but it is believed the family had decided to retire and move back to France. 

According to rumour – currently unconfirmed by the New Journal – the buyers are a group of property investors who intend to apply for permission to convert the ­basement restaurant in a listed Georgian terrace into a flat.

Jessica Learmond-Criqui, of the Hampstead Shops Campaign, who fight to protect independent businesses, said the Town Hall should resist attempts to convert restaurant premises into housing.  

She said: “It was a well-known place. I heard from an estate agent in Hampstead that it was bought by investors and they are trying to get permission to change its use. The Hampstead Shops Campaign believes it should be kept for a commercial use. 

“We are losing places to residential use and that means losing the village’s commercial arena. Once it is gone, you would not get it back and it would be a real pity of the Cellier went that way. There are plenty of businesses who could make good use of the site.”

Regulars Arvind and Usha Malhotra had eaten at the Cellier since the 1970s. Mr Malhotra said: “Every family celebration we have had has been hosted in there. It had very good food and was so very cheerful with no pretensions at all. 

“The husband was the chef, the wife the maître d and the son the waiter and they ran it so well. They were passionate about their food and wine.”

Mrs Malhorta recalled the classic French menu. She said: “I used to really enjoy their prawns and the fish provencal. They also did wonderful monkfish. It is such a shame to see it closed – it was very popular with regulars. People would come back time and again and it gave it a clubby atmosphere.”