Monday Bulletin: Gordon Ramsay set to secure Le Gavroche site & Market Halls to open in Paddington

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

To get the CODE Bulletin direct to your inbox every Monday morning sign up here

Le Gavroche

It has yet to be confirmed by the man himself but it is being widely reported that Gordon Ramsay is set to secure the legendary Le Gavroche site at 43 Upper Brook Street in Mayfair. According to a story in Restaurant, Union Street Café Limited, an arm of the Ramsay empire, has successfully applied for a premises license transfer from Westminster Council, just over a year after Michel Roux closed the restaurant. The deal represents a full circle moment for Ramsay, who worked as a commis chef at Le Gavroche in the late ’80s. It is another big move for Ramsay who this month opened his 22 Bishopsgate project in the City, complete with an outpost of Lucky Cat and his chef’s table concept High. Little is known of Ramsay’s plans for the site but rumours abound that Restaurant Gordon Ramsay co-chef patron Matt Abé will lead the kitchen. What we know for certain is that the site will not be called Le Gavroche, as Michel Roux still owns the name. Le Gavroche opened in 1967 and was the first UK restaurant to hold three Michelin stars.

Market Halls

Market Halls has revealed the full line-up of traders going into its new site which opens 4 March at Paddington Square, West London. Souvlaki by Opso and From The Ashes Parrilla, a new South American spin-off of From The Ashes BBQ are both site exclusives. They’re joined by Breddos Tacos, Farm Girl and Market Hall stalwarts BAO Night Market, Gopal’s Corner by Roti King, Black Bear Burger, and 20ft Fried Chicken. The venue will also have two bars and an outdoor terrace, with seating for 355 inside, 130 outside. DJ sets, live music, sports screenings, and events will take place throughout the year. Paddington Square is Market Halls’ fourth London site after Oxford Street, Victoria, and Canary Wharf.

Small Plates

• A fire broke out at Chiltern Firehouse on Friday, spreading throughout the hotel via internal vents. No one was injured. However, the damage to the Grade II-listed building is said to be extensive. It will remain closed until further notice. Our thoughts are with André Balazs and the entire Chiltern Firehouse team.
   
• One of Amsterdam’s most famous restaurants is heading to London for one night only. De Kas pops up at Firebird in Soho on International Women’s Day, Saturday 8 March, when head chef Savannah Hagendijk will cook a menu of fresh produce from the Michelin-starred and green-starred restaurant’s 1920s glasshouse and gardens.
   
• Happy 10th Birthday Blacklock. Here’s to ten more years of all-in chops, cocktails, Sunday roasts, and white chocolate cheesecake. Blacklock’s signature dessert, made to founder Gordon Ker’s granny’s recipe, has been on since day one. See what all the fuss is about here.
   
• Ayesha Kalaji, the British Jordanian chef patron of Queen of Cups in Glastonbury, is collaborating with InterContinental London Park Lane on an iftar menu available at the hotel throughout Ramadan, 28 February to 30 March. On the menu: babaghanoush with pomegranate, lemongrass pickled onions, and brik pastry shatta.
  
  
• Calong, the new Korean restaurant in Stoke Newington from former Galvin at Windows head chef Joo Won, is now taking reservations. Its first service will be on 21 February. Dishes will include kimchi fritters with chilli mayo; Middle White brawn and fresh mooli kimchi; and BBQ beef bulgogi. 
  
  
• Hospitality charity Kelly’s Cause is holding its International Women’s Day event at London’s St Martin’s Lane Hotel on 3 March. The evening will include a keynote from Michelle Moreno and a workshop for hospitality pros led by the Growth Collective. Tickets, £15. All welcome!
  
  
• The first ever Bath Restaurant Week takes place in the UNESCO World Heritage City from 3-11 May, 2025. The fun starts even before then, however, with a waiters’ race along the iconic Royal Crescent on Monday 7 April in aid of Hospitality Action. Runners and riders from local restaurants can sign up here.
  
  
• Finally, congratulations to Isabella Condon, junior assistant manager at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, who was named the 2025 Gold Service Scholar at an awards ceremony at Claridge’s last week.