Christopher’s American Bar & Grill in Covent Garden has been sold to Ambar Paul, chairman of engineering company, Caparo Group for an undisclosed sum.
The restaurant and bar situated in a Grade II-listed building on Wellington Street has become a London icon, having served American steaks and lobsters since owner Christopher Gilmour opened the site in 1991.
Paul, who also owns four hotels under the Caparo Hotel brand, including The Osbourne Hotel in Torquay and The White Hart Hotel in Lincoln, will continue to operate Christopher’s in its current format while considering alternative investment and roll-out opportunities for the site and brand in the medium term.
He said: “I am delighted to have acquired this iconic brand and restaurant in Covent Garden. With the significant investment I plan to undertake, I am confident that this fantastic site will continue to offer a quality dining experience for both existing and future patrons.”
Caparo's first restaurant
Christopher’s Grill, which is modelled after the Chicago Palm Restaurant in Illinois, America, marks Paul's first solo venture into the restaurant industry.
Lawrence Telford, director at Coffer Corporate Leisure who handled the deal, said: “Whilst confidential, we secured a premium for this site despite the prevailing economic conditions illustrating further that good quality, well located sites will command significant interest and premiums.”