Restaurant

Jennifer Collins appointed head chef at The Pem

09-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Jennifer Collins has been named as the new head chef at Sally Abé’s Westminster restaurant The Pem.

Scott Hallsworth gets his Freak on in Balham

08-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Scott Hallsworth is opening a second of his Freak Scene restaurants in south London, with a new site in Balham.

Ollie Reynolds to close Pizza Loco to embark on new projects

08-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Chef Ollie Reynolds is to close his Leeds-based pizzeria Pizza Loco to focus on a number of new projects, including a new food concept.

Romulo Café goes on the market - updated

08-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Filipino restaurant Romulo Café in Kensington has gone on the market.

Friday five: the week's top restaurant stories

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

The first week of 2024 was tough for the sector with several high-profile restaurants closing their doors amid insurmountable cost pressures, and data showing a decline in consumer spend.

“We cannot maintain any longer” – Phill and Deb Lewis announce closure of Kindle

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Cardiff-based restaurateurs Phill and Deb Lewis are to close their sustainability-focused outdoor restaurant Kindle, describing the decision as ‘a reflection of the current industry struggles’.

Sandy Jarvis: “We are looking forward to opening a restaurant and seeing how good we can really make it”

05-Jan-2024 By Stefan Chomka

Sandy Jarvis, former head chef and managing director at The Culpeper Family Hospitality Group and his husband Clément Cousin will open neighbourhood bistro Bavette in Horsforth, Leeds, next month.

Spaghetti House returns to profit

04-Jan-2024 By Shwetali Sapte

Spaghetti House has reported financial results for the year to 26 March 2023, with turnover rising from the previous year’s £5.3m to £9.8m.

Sud Pasta team unveils new concept

04-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Manchester-based restaurant group Sud Pasta will relaunch this month under a new brand called Rigatoni’s, which is billed as aiming ‘to bring quality pasta to the masses’.

Bellazul to open in Marylebone

03-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

New neighbourhood Mediterranean restaurant and bar Bellazul is coming to Marylebone next month.

Flash-grilled: Wesley Smalley

03-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

The chef owner of Seasonality restaurant in Maidenhead on memories of his mother's cooking, starting in kitchens at 16, and his signature dish.

Restaurants see spending decline in 2023 as consumers cut back

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Restaurants saw a spending decline of 6.7% in 2023, according to data from Barclays, as Brits spent less on eating out to offset rising household bills.

“It’s a heart breaking day": Simon Rimmer announces shock closure of Greens

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Simon Rimmer has closed his Didsbury restaurant Greens with immediate effect after 33 years.

‘Continued financial difficulties’ force Tony Rodd to close Copper & Ink

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Tony Rodd has announced the immediate closure of his Copper & Ink restaurant in Blackheath, south east London, saying that ‘continued financial difficulties’ have made the business ‘untenable’.

“I’ve never been so battered in this business” – James Allcock closes The Pig and Whistle

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Chef James Allcock has permanently closed his Yorkshire bistro The Pig and Whistle in Beverly, describing it as ‘the most gut-wrenching decision’ of his life.

Gareth Bartram to leave Winteringham Fields after nine years

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Winteringham Fields head chef Gareth Bartram has announced that he is leaving the Lincolnshire restaurant in February after almost a decade.

2023: Review of the year in restaurants

21-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

While operators big and small grappled with the impact of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, 2023 also saw both investment and a degree of optimism return to the restaurant sector.

Restaurant radar: the key openings of 2024

21-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

With new ventures from Jeremy King, Ruth Hansom, Ashley Palmer-Watts, Michael O’Hare and Ellen Chew, amongst others, 2024 is shaping up to be a banner year for new restaurant openings.

Six by Nico to launch new Glasgow flagship

19-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Tasting menu restaurant Six by Nico is investing £3m to overhaul its Glasgow estate with the launch of two new concepts and a new flagship location in Merchant City.

Galvin La Chapelle to undergo refurbishment ahead of 15th anniversary

18-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The Galvin brothers’ Michelin-starred London flagship Galvin La Chapelle is to undergo a refurbishment in early January ahead of its 15th anniversary later in the month.

Michelin-starred Aberystwyth restaurant SY23 to close

18-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Michelin-starred Aberystwyth restaurant SY23 is to close its doors at the end of the year, with its owners blaming 'the unprecedented challenges of the current financial climate'.

Government publishes tipping code of practise

18-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The Government has published a draft code of practice on the fair and transparent distribution of tips, which will come into effect on 1 July 2024.

Des Gunewardena to open a restaurant at The Royal Exchange

15-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Des Gunewardena, former CEO of restaurant group D&D London, will embark on his first project since his departure from the multi-site restaurant group at the end of 2022.

Stevie Parle to launch new West End restaurant next summer

14-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Stevie Parle has announced he will open a new restaurant in London's West End next summer.

Haar times: the Scottish chef building his own culinary fiefdom

14-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Having started in kitchens at 15, Dean Banks has now established himself as one of Scotland’s most prominent restaurateurs. And there’s more to come from the Arbroath-born chef.

Tom Hill and Clare Lattin to open Camille in Borough Market

14-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Ducksoup and Little Duck founders Clare Lattin and Tom Hill will open a provincial French-inspired restaurant in London next year.

Nathan Davies to leave SY23

14-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Welsh chef Nathan Davies has announced he is to leave his Michelin-starred Aberystwyth restaurant SY23.

Restaurants must put allergy information on their menus, says FSA

14-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Restaurants should have to publish allergy information on their menus, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Opulent Parisian-inspired restaurant Mistress to open in St James's

14-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

A luxurious Parisian-inspired restaurant and after-hours lounge and members club will open in St James’ early next year.

Comment

Will investors have an appetite for hospitality in 2024? I think they will

14-Dec-2023 By Stefan Chomka

As another year’s gap is put between the Covid lockdowns and the present there are signs that optimism is returning to investors in hospitality.

Flash-grilled: Joe Laker

13-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The chef patron of Counter 71 in London’s Shoreditch on his first industry job, tasting menus, and why he couldn't live without a Pacojet.

Restaurant groups see 'solid' November sales

13-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved year-on-year sales growth of 4.0% in November, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

Rishi Sunak: “My primary concern was protecting millions of jobs”

11-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended the Eat Out to Help Out scheme he introduced in August 2020 as chancellor saying it was created to save the livelihoods of millions of people.

Owen Kenworthy to oversee kitchen at Julie's

11-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Owen Kenworthy has been named chef-patron at much-loved Holland Park restaurant Julie’s in preparation for its revival next spring.

Friday five: the week's top hospitality stories

08-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

This week's top news stories include reaction to the Government's new immigration plans, the UK’s 'largest' kebab house arriving in London, and the date for Michelin's 2024 star revelation ceremony.

Boom Bap Burger opens third site

08-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Burger mini chain Boom Bap Burger has opened its third London restaurant, in London's Leadenhall Market.

Azzurri Group looks to test bidders’ appetite with auction sale

08-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Azzurri Group owner Towerbrook Capital Partners is lining up bankers to launch an auction next year of the Ask, Zizzi and Coco di Mama restaurant chains.

No 'substantial evidence' Eat Out to Help Out led to a rise in Covid numbers, claims Boris Johnson

08-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Boris Johnson has defended the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme that was launched during the Covid pandemic, insisting there was no ‘substantial evidence’ that it led to a rise in cases of Coronavirus.

Comptoir Libanais to open at London's Southbank Centre

07-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Comptoir Group will open its 23rd Comptoir Libanais next year as it continues to grow its UK estate following a recent return to the expansion trail.

Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2024 to be published in February

06-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The 2024 Michelin star revelation ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland will take place at Manchester's Midland Hotel on 5 February.

Train strikes knock profits at Drake & Morgan as sales rise

06-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Ongoing industrial action on the railways has been blamed for dip in profits at Drake & Morgan, with the group reporting a rise in sales in its latest financial results.

Latest opening: The Tamil Crown

05-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The Tamil Prince team have launched a second London site, which places greater emphasis on its pub setting while retaining a robust food offering.

Jean-François Piège to make UK debut with Mimosa

05-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Jean-François Piège will bring his French Riviera-inspired Paris restaurant Mimosa to The Langham, London hotel early next year.

Aqua man: how David Yeo built an international restaurant group

04-Dec-2023 By Stefan Chomka

Twenty-three years on from opening his first restaurant, the Aqua Restaurant Group founder is showing no signs of slowing down, with new London restaurants Luci and Azzurra and more to come.

Paul Burgalières promoted to executive chef at L’Enclume

01-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Paul Burgalières has been appointed as executive chef at Simon Rogan’s three Michelin-starred L’Enclume following his time as head chef.

Friday five: the week's top hospitality stories

01-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

This week's top news stories include tributes to the late Russell Norman, shareholders approving the sale of TRG to Apollo Global Management, and administrators announcing the closure of Birch Selsdon.

Restaurant radar: December 2023

01-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

This month's key openings include two new ventures from Cardiff restaurateurs Sophie Pascoe and Benito Martinez, the return of Gilgamesh, and the UK debut of Monaco and Dubai-based restaurant Gaia.

'Less destination, more neighbourhood': Pidgin launches raffle to help it return to its roots

01-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Hackney restaurant Pidgin is looking to raise £100,000 to raise money for a refurbishment and to help take the restaurant back to it origins.

Ruth Hansom to launch first solo restaurant

01-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Chef Ruth Hansom is to launch a modern British restaurant and wine bar under her own name in partnership with her husband Mark Hansom-Rigby in Bedale, North Yorkshire.

Turkish burger brand ZULA to debut in London next year

01-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Turkish burger restaurant brand ZULA will make its UK debut next year with a site in London.