Topic: Hotels & Restaurants

Bon Appetit, Boulestin Style

One of London’s most influential restaurants reopens its doors after a 19-year hiatus.  Joel Kissin, Sir Terence Conran’s former business partner, will open Boulestin on the former site of L’Oranger in St James’s.

The bistro is inspired by the philosophy and culinary ethos of Frenchman Marcel Boulestin, who ran his eponymous restaurant in Covent Garden.  The influential food writer was revered for championing French cuisine in the UK and was Britain’s first TV celebrity chef back in the 1930s...

Launching September 2013

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A New Beginning

Gordan Ramsay has announced he’ll be serving his last meal at Claridge’s on the 30th June this year. Thomas Kochs, General Manager at Claridge’s, said: "We thank Gordon and his team for the incredible dedication they have shown in making the restaurant such a success, it has undoubtedly made an important contribution to Claridge’s gastronomic history." With the opening of his new Union Street Café in Borough this autumn, not to mention an exciting partnership with none other than David Beckham, there’s much to be anticipated from the celebrity chef. But with an opening in one of London’s oldest and most respected hotels, who is to step up to the chopping board?

Opening: TBC 2013

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Traditional Modern Luxury

Since 1979 Rosewood Hotels and Resorts have been devoted to bringing exclusive luxury and extravagance to all corners of the world. The Rosewood Hotel Group prides itself on providing, with each hotel, a one-of-a-kind ambiance designed to enhance every aspect of their guest’s experiences.

It can be expected that The Rosewood Hotel London might not bestow quite the same exotic ambiance as its sister resorts in the Caribbean, but in the heart of one of the world’s greatest cities, Rosewood is looking to provide the same level of luxury combining a fusion of tradition and modern urban elegance. With an £85,000,000 renovation of a 1914 Edwardian grade II-listed building, this new venture should do nothing but impress even the most sophisticated of travellers.

Initial renderings reveal the historic building is to host 262 guestrooms and 44 suites, a wood-panelled library/ lounge, and various public spaces filled with books and artwork. The Manor House Suite, with private elevator even has its own street entrance. In addition, the just as eagerly anticipated restaurant and bar by Martin Brudnizki of Scott’s and Le Caprice, is the icing on the cake...

Opening: October 2013

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FENDI COLLABORATES IN DUBAI

Dubai-based property developer Damac is set to launch two new residential projects in partnership with luxury fashion brand Fendi. Damac revealed that it is building a 150m-high tower in Riyadh branded as Damac Esclusiva Luxury Serviced Apartments as well as taking the top 42 floors of a tower in Dubai Marina branded as Damac Residenze...

Opening: 2016

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DAVID BECKHAM’S EXTRA HELPINGS

Talk of Union Street Café - Gordon Ramsey’s new London restaurant – has been circulating for many months, however details of an opening schedule have been limited...

Opening: September 2013

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A Taste of Hollywood

2013 will see a number of new delights joining London’s ever-growing hotel and restaurant industry, the most intriguing of which has to be André Balazs’ first European hotel.

Balazs’ property portfolio includes The Mercer Hotel in New York and the legendary Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, which has gained notoriety, in part due to the wild antics of the rich and famous. Now Marylebone is to house Balazs’ first Hollywood style hotel in London.

Opening: Late 2013

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Japanese Twist

Set to open in September, Chotto Matte restaurant and bar will offer guests fresh, high quality Japanese inspired Nikkei cuisine. Featuring a tasting menu of seven courses for a reasonable £40, the Peruvian and Japanese fusion menu will bring something a little different to London’s West End.

Four distinct areas split over three floors will house a lounge, sushi bar, robata grill, and a 180-cover restaurant offering guests a multi-layered experience that blurs the boundaries between modern and traditional aesthetics. Hiroki Takemura, the former head of Nobu and Zuma’s highly acclaimed kitchens, has developed Chotto Matte’s menu. And, with a large collection of fine wines, sakes, shochu and premium Japanese whiskies, guests can also experience a comprehensive choice of drinks which complement the delicious food...

Opening: September 2013

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Beaumont Boutique on Balderton Street

Restaurateurs Jeremy King and Chris Corbin have once again popped up on our radar. This time the duo is set to open a boutique hotel in the heart of Mayfair. The original 1920’s Art Deco structure of the former Avis building will be home to the 75-room Beaumont hotel...

Opening: 2014

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Beagle - A Unique, Conceptual Eatery

It’s clear that concept restaurants are to lead the way in 2013, as the industry continues to reinvent itself, and restaurateurs in London look to get ahead of their competitors. Beagle restaurant is an example of the unique conceptual eateries that are popping up this year, all of which are exploring new niches in the luxury market...

Opening: March 2013

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10 Trinity Square gets a Ritz renovation

Under the joint investment of KOP Properties and the Reignwood Group, the Asian invasion of London’s luxury hotel industry has revealed itself once again. These Asian investors have released exciting plans for a luxury hotel and private residences at London’s iconic 10 Trinity Square, next to the Tower of London. Under their joint venture, the Grade II listed building and three acre site will be converted into a luxury 120-bedroom hotel with private members’ club, spa, restaurants and 37 private luxury residencies...

Opening: September 2014

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Pintxos in Piccadilly

Australian chef Ash Mair, who won 2011's much loved TV series MasterChef - the Professionals, has confirmed that he's opening his first restaurant in London. The chef was offered the opportunity to help expand Bilbao Berria in London following the success of its restaurants throughout Spain...

Opening: Spring 2013

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East is East - Nobu's latest venture

High end Japanese restaurant chain, Nobu, famously owned by Robert De Niro and headed by top chef Nobu Matsuhisa, has confirmed that it is to partner with boutique hotel developer Meir Abutbul to build a 143-bedroom hotel in London’s trendy East End.
After rumours of the restaurant’s desires to spread out from its established homes in Mayfair, plans for the Shoreditch hotel don’t come as a surprise. With the launch of the first Nobu Hotel at Ceaser’s Palace, Las Vegas in February next year, guests of its European sister are surely in for a treat with this luxury infused, celebrity driven exhibition.

Opening: TBC

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Two New Additions to London’s Fine Dining

London bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan, which has brought some of London’s finest culinary establishments, will add another two sites to its portfolio in 2013.

The Happenstance will be an impressive 8,000 square foot, 238-cover site in St Paul’s Churchyard. With floor to ceiling windows the restaurant’s prime location will offer stunning views of St Paul’s Cathedral...

Opening: 2013

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Peruvian Goes East

Following the success of Ceviche Soho, ex-DJ turned restaurateur Martin Morales, has decided to transport his Peruvian Kitchen and Pisco Bar from the famous West end district and make the strategic move east to trendy Shoreditch...

Opening: Spring 2013

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Social dining

Jason Atherton’s restaurant, Pollen Street Social has been an enormous success, picking up a Michelin star after only a few months of it opening. Such an accomplishment can partially be due to his time studying in Spain’s famous El Bulli restaurant where he became interested in innovative flavour combinations...

Opening: March 2013

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English treasure to reopen its doors

The unveiling of an English treasure is something to look forward to, and Heckfield Place, opening to the public in the spring of 2013, is sure to be a highlight. Beautifully situated in the countryside of Hampshire, this Grade II listed hotel promises authenticity and elegance, as the greatest care has been taken to ensure refurbishments will respect the historical provenance of this house. More than just celebrating English grandeur at its finest, this hotel offers a twist on the traditional Country House. It has the feeling of a private home, despite its historic opulence, with plenty of spaces for guests to hide away in. Each of the 60 rooms has been designed to exude personality and cosiness, creating a luxurious and private experience for every guest. Uniquely situated on a working farm this hotel is given real warmth, by its close relationship to such an important part of English heritage. Culinary Director, Skye Gyngell, will treat guests to exquisite menus full of local and estate-sourced ingredients, all used to the greatest effect...

Opening: March 2013

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Brasserie Chavot to Open in Mayfair

After a two year stint in America the culinary world is eagerly anticipating the return of Eric Chavot. After ten years at the Capital the French chef decided it was time to start his oven venture which will take the form of Brasserie Chavot at the Westbury Hotel in Mayfair.

Chavot describes the restaurant as having interesting features, which he is going to modify with his own unique style...

Opening: January 2013

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New Tom’s Kitchen 4 years in the making

Michelin-starred chef, Tom Aikens, is set to expand Tom’s Kitchen with the opening of his third establishment. In the last few years Tom’s seen increasing investments in his flagship restaurant and is fast becoming a growing brand...

Opening: April 2013

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Balthazar’s London Debut

A London branch of Keith McNally’s famous, and very successful, New York brasserie is making its way across the pond to set up shop in the former Theatre Museum in Covent Garden...

Launch: February 2013

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HKK serves up an exquisite dining experience

If you’ve enjoyed a culinary experience at Hakkasan, you’ll be pleased to hear of a new restaurant opening soon. Inspired by the long-standing Chinese banqueting tradition, the Hakkasan Group is set to open HKK. The new restaurant will offer a distinguished and exclusive bespoke dining experience...

Opening: 5th December 2012

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Café Royal returned to former glory

The historic Café Royal in Regent Street, London, will once again open its doors.

Established in the 1860s, the Café Royal boasts a rich history, and through the decades has been frequented by many high profile personalities, including Oscar Wilde, Aubrey Beardsley and Winston Churchill.

Opening: December 2012

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Luxury hotel group’s first elevated hotel

In 2013 London is set to accommodate the world renowned Shangri-La. The Asian-based luxury hotel group is making its way to Europe to launch its first elevated hotel inside the spire of the Shard. Shangri-La Hotel At The Shard will represent the unique 5-star hospitality of the deluxe hotel chain from within the heights of the UK’s most ambitious architectural endeavour, becoming part of Europe’s tallest building and offering a room with a view like none seen before.

The 202 rooms, 185 deluxe guest bedrooms and 17 suites, some of which feature glass enclosed ‘wintergarden’ balconies, will stand 30-52 stories (1,016ft) above London’s city streets. Averaging 42sqm, the rooms are among the largest available in London. But it’s the features and services of the Shangri-La that make this a flagship European hotel and characterise both the hotel and The Shard as the future of distinctive luxury.

Signature 5-star features and services associated exclusively with the Shangri-La Hotel include the “Shangri-La Bed”...

Opening: May 2013

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Former Nobu head chef heads up new restaurant

Scott Hallsworth the former head chef at Nobu is set to lead the realm at Wabi London. The soon to open restaurant will serve up a seasonal menu of Japanese cuisine with a contemporary European twist, and will house a Sushi bar, pastry bar and lounge which will serve signature cocktails.

Opening: 26th November

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Europe’s art’otel Brand Comes To London

Opening: Late 2012

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Loubet's Vegetable Venture

The Kings Cross restaurant scene has been revolutionised in the past five years and now yet another high-profile name is joining the act. Bruno Loubet, chef of the Michelin starred restaurant Bistro Bruno Loubet in Clerkenwell, has opted to open his second diner on Granary Square, a King’s Cross development which also houses Central St Martin’s College of Art & Design...

Opening: January 2013

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Shard Announces Three New Restaurants

London's new iconic skyscraper has announced the opening of three new restaurants. The eateries will occupy 30,000 sq.ft of space across the mid-levels of the Shard - Europe’s tallest building.

Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney, responsible for the creation of both Zuma and Roka, will open a rotisserie and grill on the 32nd floor of the Shard, along with a live music bar. Additionally The Aqua Restaurant group, headed up by David Yeo, will open two separate restaurants and bars on the 31st and 33rd floor of the 72 story building.

All three eateries have impressive credentials with both the Roka and Zuma restaurants present in London, Honk Kong and Bangkok. The Aqua Restaurant Group, which is also responsible for Aqua Nueva and Aqua Kyoto off Regent Street, runs more than 20 venues across East Asia.

An "all day dining" service, is expected to be provided by all three restaurants, which also enjoy a triple height atrium giving diners unparalleled views of the City.

Opening: March/April 2013

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Luxury hotels first venture into Europe

London is set to join New York, The Bahamas and Dubai by housing a Mondrian hotel. The £9 million luxury development situated on the South Bank is scheduled to be complete in 2014. It will be the Hotel’s first venture into Europe, and one of only six in the world.

Opening: 2014

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Nobu gets into hotel business

Renowned Japanese restaurant Nobu plans to open its first hotel in Europe. 10-50 Willow Street, located in Shoreditch, East London will be home to the new development. Details are limited at this stage, however it is reported the hotel will comprise of 143 bedrooms and a large basement restaurant, naturally.

Opening: 2013

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New All Suite Hotel To Open, Knightsbridge

A new luxury hotel in central London has been scheduled to open later this year. The Wellesley Hotel, a boutique luxury townhouse hotel, will open in Knightsbridge this December.

Situated in this exclusive London postcode already awash with five star luxuries like The Lanesborough and The Berkeley, Knightsbridge will provide an appropriate backdrop for guests staying at The Wellesley.

Opening: December 2012

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