The acquisition includes the leasehold of the premises and the existing brand of the restaurant, which the Thesleff Group claims it will be 'bringing back to its former glory days'.
Sale e Pepe originally launched in 1974 and has attracted an illustrious clientele over the years of royalty, politicians, actors and singers with regular patrons including Rod Stewart, Sir Roger Moore, Priscilla Presley and Ringo Starr.
The menu best known for dishes such as linguine with lobster, cherry tomatoes, basil and garlic; and Dover sole with olive oil, lemon and herbs.
Under the direction of the Thesleff Group, it will now also feature dishes including vitello tonnato; crab and avocado salad with tomato concassé, spring onions, chives and lemon dressing; and linguine vongole.
“We are really excited and inspired to be the new custodians of Sale e Pepe of Knightsbridge, one of the most iconic restaurants in London,” says Markus Thesleff, founder of the Thesleff Group.
“It's a very rare opportunity to be able to acquire such a rich legacy steeped in almost 50-years of history. We are really proud that Toni has trusted us with this iconic brand and institution.”
Founded by Thesleff in 2019, the Thesleff Group owns both Mexican-Japanese restaurant Los Mochis and the recently-launched zero waste experiential cocktail bar Viajante87 in Notting Hill.
The group is set to open its flagship restaurant, Los Mochis City, in Broadgate Circle this autumn.
