- It was a victory for rude-sounding names when a poster for a Glasgow Vietnamese restaurant's 'Phat Phuc' menu was cleared by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after two complaints. Apparently the slogan is pronounced 'Fet Fook' and means 'Happy Buddha', but the ASA acknowledged that the poster 'sounded similiar to the expletive fuck'.
- Whitbread is going a bit hipster with the launch of its new 'edgier' Beefeater Bar & Block brand. The group said the restaurant, which is all exposed brickwork and wooden floors, was designed to attract a 'younger' crowd.
- A lack of skilled staff is the biggest threat to the survival of restaurants over the coming year, according to new research which surprises no one. The poll of restaurant owners said rising operational costs and increased competition were their next biggest concerns.
- Eating out is getting cinematic, and no we're no talking about Bradley Cooper. ODEON are launching a fine dining cinema with waiter service in Islington in 2017. Gourmet hot dogs, dim sum and ice cream soda will replace overpriced bags of sweets on the menu.
- Former Michelin-starred chef Paul Heathcote is selling his final two restaurants to focus on 'other projects'. Heathcote said he was closing the last of his portfolio to do something 'slightly different' but was 'absolutely' not retiring.
For a full run-down of this week's news, see here.