Monday Bulletin: Saltie Girl opens in Mayfair and Asma Khan returns to Kingly Court

Catch up on the latest industry news stories of the week from the CODE Bulletin

Hix to the Groucho

The industry stalwart Mark Hix has been named the new director of food and beverage at the Groucho Club. Not only does the move mark a return to the London restaurant scene for Hix, but it also represents a step forward at the Soho members’ club since it was bought by the hospitality group Artfarm in the summer. Artfarm CEO Ewan Venters said: ‘I am thrilled to welcome Mark back to his spiritual home. He has been a member of The Groucho for more than 30 years, and he understands the special nature of this club. Mark is one of my food heroes.’ Read more.

The Curlew

The chef Will Devlin last week announced his restaurant The Curlew will close ‘with immediate effect’. Devlin, who opened the restaurant in Bodiam, East Sussex, just three weeks before the first lockdown, said the current economic situation has rendered the business unsustainable. ‘This has been a very hard decision but after a period of difficult trading conditions it’s the best one we can make’, he said. More here.

Small Plates

• One of London’s oldest restaurants has been forced to close after the landlord locked the doors in a dispute over rent. The historic Simpson’s Tavern, a chophouse not far from the Royal Exchange in the City of London, has been a watering hole and lunch spot since 1757, but shut in October. More. 
   
• The celebrated US restaurateur Kathy Sidell will open her seafood restaurant Saltie Girl, on North Audley Street in Mayfair, tomorrow. Sidell has joined forces with UK restaurateur Varun Talreja, the co-founder of contemporary Greek restaurant Meraki, and the butcher and chef Richard Turner for the launch. 
   
• Following successes in Ibiza, Mykonos, and Las Vegas, the ‘entertainment hospitality brand’ Pacha Group has announced the opening of Lío London. Launching in February 2023, the ‘show and dining experience’ will open in the former Café de Paris in the West End. 
   
• Jason Atherton has warned he will have to start closing restaurants in the new year because it has become ‘impossible’ to recruit staff. The acclaimed chef told the Standard that he will only be able to operate ‘two or three’ effectively if the crisis doesn’t relent.
   
• Robin Gill is bringing back his ‘Homage to The Big Fromage’ events at Bottle + Rye in Brixton Village. This series sees hospitality personalities take over the kitchen and serve a dish inspired by a ‘big fromage’ in their life – a chef, ingredient, or restaurant. More via Instagram.
  
  
• Cocktail-fuelled party restaurants are continuing to be a trend. Next on the agenda is Penelope’s from Hotel Amano, which is launching at a big site on Russell Street in December. The group is known for mixing dinner with dancing, and founder Ariel Schiff, via Tel Aviv and southern Spain, has brought in chef Shimon Peretz (Manu in Berlin) and Fezile Ozalgan (Pizarro, Barboun, and more) for the opening.
  
  
• The next HospoDemo protest is happening on 14 November. Campaigners will return to Parliament Square from 11am to call for improved VAT and business rates, and to urge the government to introduce a visa scheme. 

StreetSmart

StreetSmart’s yearly campaign to raise funds to support homelessness in the UK is now underway. The charity encourages diners to visit a supporting restaurant, pub or hotel and donate £1 per table. Over 540 restaurants have signed up this year, including The Fat Duck, Trattoria Brutto, and Gymkhana, as well as the restaurants within Harvey Nichols and Selfridges and the D&D London, Cubitt House, and MEATliquor restaurant groups. Read more.

Our newspaper

if you haven’t yet picked up a copy of our autumn Dumbwaiter newspaper, we now have a growing list of stockists available. Find a shop in London here and get in touch with our production assistant Alice Hale if you would like to take copies for your customers.

Gary Usher

The chef and restaurateur Gary Usher hit his latest crowdfunding target in just 24 hours. The Elite Bistros founder raised £200,000 last week will support the launch of the group’s new pub, the White Horse in Churton. Usher said: ‘Not sure what to say. Thank you for picking us back up. Thank you to the local community in Churton. Thank you to all the teams in Elite and thank you to our community. I messed up in business this year and you lot gave us the opportunity here to put it right.’ 

Asma Khan

Asma Khan has finally announced that her Indian restaurant Darjeeling Express will be returning to Kingly Court. Its ‘spiritual home’,  she said. Khan said: ‘We are returning to our spiritual home – and in a bigger space! This was where we began our journey five years ago – an #AllFemaleKitchen serving the food of our families. It is a joyous #Homecoming! Details of opening date and how to make reservations will follow soon.’ 

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