Casual Dining

The Lowdown: Aberdeen Angus Pure

28-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

London-based group Angus Steakhouse says it is the first restaurant chain in the UK to serve ‘pure’ Aberdeen Angus steak.

Gary Rhodes: “If you really want to become known within this industry, it takes time”

28-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Chef Gary Rhodes died suddenly earlier this week while filming in Dubai. In a video featuring the TV chef shot a few months before his death, one of the last interviews he did, Rhodes speaks about becoming one of the first TV chefs, his celebrity peers...

UK growth helps Nando's sales hit £1bn

27-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

The UK’s love of peri-peri chicken has helped Nando’s worldwide sales surpass £1bn.

Latest opening: Sam’s Riverside

27-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

After a brief hiatus, restaurateur Sam Harrison is back with a stylish new riverside brasserie.

World famous sushi restaurants stripped of their Michelin stars

26-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

Two of the most renowned sushi restaurants in the world have been stripped of their Michelin stars after they stopped accepting general reservations.

Wingstop to partner with Xbox for third UK opening

26-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

US chicken wing chain Wingstop is to partner with Xbox to launch a restaurant at Bluewater Kent that features a “stay and play” gaming zone.

Breddos Tacos to open within King's Cross food hall

25-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Breddos Tacos has secured a site within a new food hall that’s backed by Ben Lovett, a founding member of the band Mumford & Sons.

Bounce operator raises $20m to expand

25-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

Social Entertainment Ventures (SEV) has raised $20m to expand its leisure brands in the UK and US.

Wagamama continues to see sales climb

25-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Wagamama’s saw turnover increase 11% to £92.6m in the 13 weeks to 29 September 2019, up from £83.4m in the same period last year.

Flash-grilled: Javi Blanco

22-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Javi Blanco is head chef at Eneko Atxa's Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar in London's One Aldwych hotel.

Tim Martin re-elected to board of JD Wetherspoon

22-Nov-2019 By MCA

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has been re-elected with the support of more than 98% of shareholders.

The future of beef

22-Nov-2019 By Restaurant Magazine

Last month a group of chefs and restaurateurs headed to Corrigan’s Mayfair to chew the fat over what the future holds for beef.

The Greek Larder duo to open The Melusine in St Katharine Docks

22-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Theodore Kyriakou, the former executive chef and CEO of The Greek Larder in King’s Cross, is to open a seafood restaurant in London’s St Katharine Docks next month.

The Lowdown: air-based meats

21-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

A Californian start-up claims to have created the world’s first air-based meat alternative.

Fuller's set for Wembley Park opening

21-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Brewer and pub operator Fuller's is to open a pub and restaurant in London’s Wembley Park retail and leisure development next year.

Yosma chef Hus Vedat and Fez Ozalgan to open Barboun in Shoreditch

21-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Yosma chef Hus Vedat is opening a new restaurant with chef Fez Ozalgan in Shoreditch next month.

The secret stagiaire: Number One at The Balmoral

21-Nov-2019 By The secret stagiaire

This month our stagiaire has a sojourn across the border to Edinburgh where he meets a chef on trial and deals with complicated customers.

Yori to open third London restaurant

20-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

London-based Korean barbecue brand Yori is to add a third restaurant location to its portfolio next month, opening on the former Jidori site in Covent Garden.

Anatolian-style restaurant to open in the City

20-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

An all-day Anatolian-style restaurant and bar concept is to open in Finsbury Avenue Square, in the City, early next year.

Puttshack set for US expansion

20-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Mini golf and restaurant concept Puttshack has secured its first US site in West Midtown Atlanta, with plans to launch there next year.

UKHospitality says industry can grow by 5.5% over three years in election manifesto

20-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality is calling on the next government to reform business rates, address the skills shortage, and guarantee the rights of EU citizens as part of its general election manifesto.

Whitbread to open Bar + Block steakhouse in Newcastle

19-Nov-2019 By Restaurant

Whitbread it to open one of its Bar + Block steakhouse concepts in Newcastle next month – the sixth opening under the casual dining brand this year.

Losses for Top 100 UK restaurant groups increase to £93m

19-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

A combination of rising overheads, fewer alcohol sales, and a weaker pound has continued to impact the UK’s Top 100 restaurant groups according to accountancy group UHY Hacker Young.

Som Saa to crowdfund to open second Thai restaurant in the capital

19-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

London-based Thai restaurant Som Saa is looking to open a second restaurant in the capital.

Jamie Oliver to launch new restaurant chain overseas

18-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Jamie Oliver is to launch a new casual dining concept later this month, as he continues to expand his international restaurant arm.

Azzurri Group achieves like-for-like growth across portfolio

18-Nov-2019 By Georgi Gyton

Azzurri Group has reported a group sales increase of 7% for the year ended 30 June 2019, to £299.4m, with like-for-like sales growth seen across its four brands.

Chris Leach and David Carter to open permanent restaurant

18-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Petersham Nurseries’ Chris Leach and Smokestak’s David Carter are to launch a restaurant based on the concept established during their four-month residency at 10 Heddon Street.

Alex and Saiphin Moore save Ceviche from administration

18-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Rosa’s Thai Cafe founders Alex and Saiphin Moore have acquired the Ceviche restaurant group following a management led buy-out deal.

Latest opening: The Laundry

15-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Hospitality entrepreneur Melanie Brown has opened her first solo restaurant venture, which, as the name suggests, is housed in a former steam laundry.

Friday Five: the week's top news

15-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

We round-up some of the top hospitality stories you might have missed this week

The Alchemist to open flagship London location

15-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

All-day restaurant and cocktail bar group The Alchemist is to open its biggest site to date later this month in Canary Wharf.

The Lowdown: gender-neutral cocktails

14-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

London restaurant chain Burger & Lobster has launched a range of colourless and nameless ‘gender-neutral’ cocktails.

Former Deliveroo MD to launch Brighton food hall

14-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

A food hall with up to ten independent traders is to open in the historic Shelter Hall on Brighton seafront next summer.

Electric Shuffle set to finally open this month

14-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Flight Club founders Steve Moore and Paul Barham are finally set to launch their latest competitive socialising concept in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square later this month.

Noble Rot pair secure iconic Soho site for second opening

14-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew are to open their second Noble Rot location next year on the site formerly occupied by iconic Soho restaurant The Gay Hussar on Greek Street.

Latest opening: Wild by Tart

13-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Jemima Jones and Lucy Carr-Ellison, the duo behind catering company Tart London, have chosen Victoria’s trendy Eccleston Yards for their first restaurant.

How I Got Here: Rob Beacham

13-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Rob Beacham is co-founder of French restaurant group Bistrot Pierre, which this year celebrates its 25th birthday.

McDonald's staff strike over pay and working conditions

12-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

A number of McDonald’s workers are striking today (12 November), demanding higher wages and better contracts.

The Alchemist to make Scottish debut

12-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

All-day restaurant and cocktail bar group The Alchemist is to launch its first Scottish location within the Edinburgh St James development next year.

Mark Jarvis’ Anglo launches Trade residency

11-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Chef Mark Jarvis’ restaurant Anglo is today (11 November) launching a residency at hospitality member’s club Trade in London’s Soho.

Deliveroo launches click and collect service

11-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

Deliveroo has launched a click and collect feature allowing customers to avoid paying delivery fees.

Friday Five: the week's top news

08-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

We round up some of the top hospitality stories you might have missed this week

Latest opening: Legare

08-Nov-2019 By Joe Lutrario

Two Barrafina and Trullo alumni have opened this casual pasta-focused restaurant near London's Tower Bridge.

Sponsored by Hellmann’s

Plant powered: seven vegan burgers under the microscope

07-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

From the recent opening of Neil Rankin's Simplicity Burger to the rising popularity of jackfruit, plant-based patties are firmly on trend. We explore seven different approaches to serving vegan burgers.

Shortlist revealed for Restaurant's R200 Awards

07-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Arcade Food Theatre, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, Circolo Popolare, Nando’s, Bleecker Burger, Giggling Squid, Rockfish and Loungers are among the restaurant groups and new openings that have been shortlisted in this year’s R200 Awards.

Bababoom launches fundraise for 20-strong rollout plan

07-Nov-2019 By Finn Scott-Delany

Kebab restaurant concept Bababoom is launching a fundraising drive to support its target of reaching 20 sites by FY 2024.

PizzaExpress owner injects £80m to pay down debts

06-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

PizzaExpress’ Chinese owner Hony Capital is reportedly going to inject £80m of cash into the business in order to help prop up its balance sheet.

Advertorial

Why restaurants should revive the bar

06-Nov-2019 By Johnnie Walker

How can the restaurant industry benefit from serving cocktails before and after food? In partnership with Gordon’s, Johnnie Walker and Baileys.

Food Made Good Awards 2019 winners revealed

06-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Nando’s and YO! were among the food businesses honoured at the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s (SRA) Food Made Good Awards 2019, which took place last night (5 November) in London.

Gaucho unveils new ‘creative direction’ for restaurants

06-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

Steakhouse chain Gaucho has unveiled its future vision for the business, including changes to the restaurant design and introduction of a cinema screen.