Fine Dining

Mitchells & Butlers acquires Ha Ha Bar & Grill

17-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Mitchells & Butlers has acquired the 22-strong Ha Ha Bar & Grill from Bay Restaurant Group for £19.5m

Japanese eateries vie for Best Restaurant gong at World Food Awards

16-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

The nominees for the second annual World Food Awards have been announced, with two of London’s most high profile Japanese restaurants set to go head for head for the title of Restaurant of the Year

National Chef of the Year 2010 finalists named

16-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

The Craft Guild of Chefs has announced the 10 finalists through to the 2010 National Chef of the Year competition

English hotels continue to benefit from British holidaymakers

16-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

The hospitality industry in England is enjoying sustained success this summer, with the majority of hoteliers and self-catering outlets happy with summer trading, VisitEngland have said

Restaurant cloths showing poor hygiene, says HPA

16-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Over half the cleaning cloths used in restaurant and take-away kitchens are showing signs of poor hygiene and cross contamination, according to a report published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) today

Best Western adds six new hotels to estate

15-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Mid-market hotel brand Best Western has added six new hotels to its portfolio, taking its UK estate up to 280 properties

Jamie's Italian loses managing director

15-Sep-2010 By Martyn Leek

Kevin Bacon, the managing director of Jamie’s Italian International, has left the group as it streamlines its management team.

Luke Johnson buys majority stake in Ego Restaurants

15-Sep-2010 By Mark Stretton

Luke Johnson, the serial restaurant investor, has acquired a majority stake in Ego Restaurants, the 10-strong Mediterranean casual dining concept run by James Horler, for an undisclosed sum

London restaurants delivering better value for money

15-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

London restaurants have adapted their prices since the recession to meet the expectations of diners, who are finding better value for money now than ever before

Summer sales boost for restaurant and pubs

14-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Restaurant and pub chains are enjoying a sales boost this summer, according to figures released today, although experts warn that autumn revenue may take a tumble if bad weather continues

Devon heritage hotel up for sale

14-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Boringdon Hall Hotel, a Grade I-listed hotel in Devon has been put up for sale, following its owner’s decision to retire.

D&D London profits up 32%

14-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

D&D London, the high end restaurant chain, has posted yearly profits of £3.7m, up 32 per cent on the previous year, as Richoux and Individual Restaurant Company reported mixed results

Italian victorious at Sud de France Sommelier Competition

14-Sep-2010 By Joe Lutrario

An Italian-born sommelier has soared to victory in the Sud de France Sommelier Competition held in the capital yesterday

Jonathan Downey opens Tiny Robot

13-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Jonathan Downey, owner of The Rushmore Group, has opened the second Robot bar, Tiny Robot, in Notting Hill

Web training launched as study finds one fifth of small businesses still without website

13-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Owners of small restaurants across Britain are being invited to a series of free events which will explain how to make the internet work for them

New Indian restaurant aims to ""capture history"" with hand-me-down canteen menu

13-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

A Indian restaurant that claims to "capture history" with its family-sourced street food menu, opens its doors in Islington today

Charitable Feasts at Fishy Fishy and Mark Best at The Loft Project

10-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Restaurants hotels and pubs, including  Fishy Fishy and The Loft Project, tell us about the extra activities their planning to attract customers

After hours with… Mickey Narea

10-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

US-born Mickey Narea traded in a high-flying career in finance for one of wine, and with just six months restaurant experience, migrated to London to begin his first sommelier position at Launceston Place

Inbound tourism figures “encouraging”, but still below pre-recession level

09-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

A recovery in the number of visitors to the UK has been described as “encouraging”, although the level is still significantly below pre-recession figures

Fast hotel broadband considered top guest requirement

09-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

A good internet connection has been voted as just as important as a comfortable bed and decent bathroom facilities when it comes to hotel accommodation

Blumenthal’s Hinds Head named Michelin Pub of the Year

08-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head in Bray has been named the 2011 Michelin Pub of the Year

Raymond Blanc given Good Food Guide Lifetime Achievement award

08-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

The Good Food Guide has awarded Raymond Blanc with its inaugrual Lifetime Achievement award, as part of celebrations marking the guide’s 60th anniversary

Barcelo Harrogate reopens following fatal fire

08-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

The Barcelo Harrogate Majestic Hotel has reopened following a major fire, which claimed the life of a kitchen porter in May 2010

Only a fifth of diners use discount vouchers

07-Sep-2010 By Martyn Leek

The value of discount vouchers in the eating and drinking out sector was put into question today after a new study found that only 17 per cent of customers take advantage of the offers

Whitbread sees ‘continued growth’

07-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Premier Inn and Costa Coffee operator Whitbread has today revealed a 7.9 per cent hike in like for like sales for the 24 weeks to 19 August

Business Profile: Byron

07-Sep-2010 By Stefan Chomka

Byron founder Tom Byng enjoys the freedom of a fledgling brand with the backing of a multi-million pound business. He also has a passionate desire to change the way we think about burgers

London Marriott and Moran Hotels appointments

07-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

London Marriott Grosvenor Square has appointed three new executive staff, while Chiswick Moran Hotel appoints a new general manager

‘Largest UK restaurant’ set to open in November

06-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

An 800-cover restaurant claiming to be the largest restaurant in the UK is due to open in Croydon this November, as its owners roll out plans to export its 'all the world on a plate' concept to the Continent

“Devastated” Bjorn van der Horst closes Eastside Inn

03-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Bjorn van der Horst has decided to close his London restaurant, Eastside Inn, it was confirmed today.

Latin America beckons for Burger King following £2.6 bn sale

03-Sep-2010 By Mark Stretton

Burger King, the US fast-food group, has agreed a $4bn (£2.6bn) takeover bid from 3G Capital, a little-known US investment group, backed by Brazilian investors

Former Leinster Inn Hotel up for sale in Bayswater

03-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

A 122-bedroom hotel in the heart of London’s hospitality district in Bayswater is up for sale

“Dine and Dash” menu helps launch Barbican restaurant duo

03-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

London arts hotspot the Barbican Centre is set to open two new restaurants at its premises this month, including a “Dine and Dash” bar menu which guarantees guests will be fed and out the door in 50 minutes or their money back

Carluccio’s poised for £90m sale deal

02-Sep-2010 By Mark Stretton

Carluccio’s, the all-day Italian restaurant chain, is on the verge of accepting an offer of £90m for the entire group – from its franchise partner in the Middle East

Viajante scoops best new London restaurant accolade

02-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Viajante, Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes's new venture in Bethnal Green, East London, has been named the best new restaurant in London by the 2011 Harden's restaurant guide

Luxury Lanarkshire ""wedding hotel"" up for sale

02-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

A 48 bedroom luxury hotel in south Scotland, touted as an ideal location for weddings, has just gone on the market following a “multi-million pound” redevelopment

The Restaurant Group reports ""excellent performance"" in first half 2010

02-Sep-2010 By Martyn Leek

The Restaurant Group (TRG), owners of the  Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito, has this morning unveiled what it described as “excellent performance” as it posted its half-yearly financial results

Seafarers call for restaurants to come aboard with charity fish dish

02-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Maritime charity Seafarers UK is calling for restaurants and cafes to show their support for British fishing communities by taking part in the organisation’s Fish & Chip Feast on 24 September

Carluccio's eyes 50-site milestone

01-Sep-2010 By Mark Stretton

Carluccio’s, the all-day Italian café, is expected to hit the 50-site threshold in the UK later this year, after putting the finishing touches on four new sites in little more than a month

Montcalm to open second London luxury hotel in 2011

31-Aug-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Montcalm Hotels, the luxury hotel brand, has revealed plans to open a five-star hotel in the City of London next year, its second in the capital

Alain Descenclos to retire as director of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

31-Aug-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Celebrated restaurant director Alain Descenclos is to retire from Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-star restaurant.

Former Benugo man plans patriotic cafe chain

31-Aug-2010 By Joe Lutrario

The former operations director of Benugo has launched the first site of what is intended to be a national chain of food-led cafes.

Ryanair-style budget hotel opens first London site

27-Aug-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Malaysian low cost hotel chain Tune Hotels is set to open its doors in London this week, the first of 15 planned in the city

How to maximise your drink sales: alcohol

27-Aug-2010 By Becky Paskin

More and more alcohol is being consumed at home, so whether you run a hotel, restaurant or bar you need to make sure you maximise your wine, beer and spirit sales to boost profit.

After hours with… Katarina Todosijevic

27-Aug-2010 By Becky Paskin

Katarina Todosijevic left her small Swedish village for the bright lights of London at just 20 years old. Seven years later she is now the head chef of Searcy’s Portrait Restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery in London

Publicise last-minute deals to draw Bank Holiday crowds

26-Aug-2010 By Rachel Johnson

British restaurants and hotels must ensure that they offer last minute bargains if they are to take advantage of the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend, industry experts have said

How to maximise your drinks sales: hot beverages

26-Aug-2010 By Becky Paskin & Stefan Chomka

As consumers look to a more continental lifestyle, one that involves a mid-afternoon coffee or tea, restaurants, pubs and hotels should take note to improve their hot beverage offering, which will ultimately boost revenue.

MWB eyes overseas opportunities amid market recovery optimism

26-Aug-2010 By Mark Stretton

MWB Group, the operator of the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison hotel has reported signs of a recovery in the hotel market, as it eyes opportunities to expand the two brands overseas

Prezzo to acquire 11 Paramount sites in £3m deal

26-Aug-2010 By Martyn Leek

Prezzo, the Italian restaurant chain, has agreed a £3.1m deal to acquire 11 sites from owners of the Chez Gerard brand, Paramount Restaurants, along with the rights to the Caffe Uno brand

Jason Atherton names London restaurant, releases further details

26-Aug-2010 By Becky Paskin

Jason Atherton has finally confirmed the name of his first solo UK restaurant as Pollen Street Social, ending months of speculation

Salad salt levels ‘absurdly’ high

26-Aug-2010 By Becky Paskin

Salads bought from high street outlets such as EAT and Pret a Manger have been found to contain more salt than a packet of crisps, over half the recommended daily allowance