The uniquely spectacular Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg: “An outstanding project the likes of which will never happen again in the city” April 25, 2016 It’s hard to describe the appeal of Hamburg. It isn’t as picturesque as Munich, nor as cool as Berlin. Instead it’s quietly confident, relaxed, comfortable with its role as Germany’s second largest city, a hub for commerce and industry. One of Europe’s most important ports, Hamburg is located on the River Elbe and the city [...]
Entrepreneur Luke Johnson and Casual Dining Group said to be bidding for Tesco-owned restaurant chain Giraffe April 24, 2016 Friendly-dining restaurant chain Giraffe has piqued the interest of serial entrepreneur Luke Johnson and the hospitality giant behind Bella Italia and Las Iguanas. Casual Dining Group, which also owns Cafe Rouge, could be set to lock horns with Johnson in the race to buy the Tesco-owned restaurant chain, reported the Sunday Times. Tesco announced it was [...]
Brewers: Restaurant owners will be richer, more handsome and more successful if they sell you more craft beer April 21, 2016 Well, knock us down with a feather. A beer industry body has suggested one in three people would visit restaurants more regularly – if more craft beer was available there. According to independent research for the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), conducted by M&C Allegra Foodservice, more than 33 per cent of 1,000 people would be enticed [...]
Gaucho Group beefs up board with new non-executive chairman Luke Johnson April 21, 2016 Argentine steakhouse chain Gaucho Group, backed by Equistone Partners Europe, has appointed hospitality and leisure entrepreneur Luke Johnson as non-executive chairman. Johnson is currently chairman of Patisserie Holdings, Bread Holdings (which owns Gail's), 3Sxity, Feng Sushi, Draft House Grand Union and Genuine Dining. In the past, he was chairman of PizzaExpress, Giraffe and Strada. Gaucho Group owns [...]
Nearly 60,000 companies hit by National Living Wage already in “significant financial distress”, insolvency firm warns April 20, 2016 The National Living Wage (NLW) risks tipping thousands of vulnerable companies over the edge as they struggle to absorb higher staff costs, one of the UK’s leading insolvency firms has warned. More than 1.8m workers were given a pay rise on 1 April after a new minimum wage came into force, requiring employers to pay at least £7.20 per [...]
The Woodford review: Fine dining hits TOWIE country April 19, 2016 Food | ★★★★☆ Value | ★★★☆☆ Atmosphere | ★★★★★ 159 High Rd, London E18 2PA Tel: 020 8504 5952 I’m going to open a restaurant. It’s going to be just outside the North Circular – not technically in Essex, but close enough that people from central London will sneer – in a former nightclub that was shut down [...]
Spotify backer Accel moves headquarters in West End to The Crown Estate’s One New Burlington Place April 18, 2016 East London may have stolen the tech spotlight in recent years as new and more established names flocked to get a foothold in Tech City, however, the West End has proved it is still getting its fair share of deals. The Crown Estate has today announced that fintech venture capital firm Accel will move its European headquarters to one [...]
Tackle the hottest event in skiing: The Inferno is the longest, oldest (and poshest) ski race in the world April 15, 2016 Mürren is arguably the birthplace of modern ski racing and yet paradoxically is the sleepiest of ski villages. With no cars and perched on a rock ledge with little room for expansion, the feel in the 1920s must have been similar to today. For one weekend each year at the end of January the quiet [...]
Masterchef’s Michel Roux Jr plans to cook at Le Gavroche with herbs grown artificially underground April 14, 2016 London’s first (above-board) subterranean farm opens for full production today, and first in the checkout queue is Michel Roux Jr. Growing Underground, a well-lit greenhouse set up 100 feet below Clapham Common, was developed last year in tunnels originally used for sheltering Londoners during WWII. The team behind the initiative have been growing micro-herbs with artificial lighting [...]
How Argentina’s finest Malbec eventually won over our wine columnist April 13, 2016 If I were to choose an acronym to promote my luxury product, WMD wouldn't be my first choice. It’s hardly redolent of balmy days spent quaffing a glass of full bodied vino. But World Malbec Day – now sheepishly retooled as Malbec World Day – celebrates its third anniversary on 17 April. Malbec is officially [...]