Tchenguiz’s former tapas chain part of £100m sale February 8, 2010 THE group behind La Tasca and the Ha Ha Bar and Grill chain could raise £100m when it is put up for sale. The Bay Restaurant Group – which was once part of property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz’s empire – is understood to be being eyed by private equity-backed investors. Interest is set to increase after [...]
For a late winter ski trip, north-east France is a red hot option February 8, 2010 YOU will hear many British voices on the slopes of the French ski resort of Morzine, but despite the fact that “the Brits are here” the region still retains a Gallic shrug. Unlike Meribel, which has long since been colonised by Brits, and where the main town is full of raucous British pubs like Dick’s [...]
THREE OTHER MOROCCAN RESTAURANTS IN LONDON February 8, 2010 KENZA Head down a tunnel off Devonshire Square and find your way into this Middle Eastern netherworld, full of sequined cushions, incense, magnificent carpets and – of course – belly dancers. The food mixes Moroccan and Lebanese flavours, and there’s a lot of it. Kenza, 10 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YP. MOMO The West End’s most [...]
Rise of Texas is a lesson for London February 8, 2010 HERE is an intriguing question which says a lot about modern America but which everybody here in London always gets wrong. Which US state is home to most big companies? New York, surely, host to Goldman Sachs, News Corporation and Pfizer? Or could it be California, home of Apple, Intel and Walt Disney? Wrong, on [...]
Burger King sees sales rise on cheap offers February 4, 2010 FAST-FOOD chain operator Burger King Holdings yesterday posted quarterly results that topped analysts’ views, helped by its $1 double cheeseburger offer, more restaurants, lower taxes and deflated food costs. The home of the Whopper reported net income of $50m, or 37 cents a share, for the second quarter ended 31 December. That was up from [...]
BACK TO THE GREEN HOUSE FOR DE BLONAY February 3, 2010 THE City’s resident “Swiss funds fox”, Guy de Blonay, has barely warmed up his seat after his high-profile return to fund management group Jupiter, but already things are settling comfortably back into their old ways. De Blonay officially took up his new position at the group a week ago, after leaving his first job at [...]
Antigua has a touch of Caribbean class January 31, 2010 GREY London Februaries can be hard to bear, which is why Antigua’s sun, sea, sandy beaches – and direct flights – make it a regular haunt for Brits in search of winter sun. This year there is a real buzz around the island, largely because of the re-launch of Rosewood’s Jumby Bay resort, which has [...]
A resort that leaves you feeling brand new January 31, 2010 NESTLING in warm Caribbean waters, sun-kissed Antigua washes over you, covers you in sunshine, and leaves you feeling as laid-back as the locals. The island is a prime wedding and honeymoon destination, but is also perfect as a place to turn over a new leaf. I’m used to spending my time off doing as little [...]
Paradise complete with tax benefits January 28, 2010 WITH taxes for top earners sure to increase in the coming years, there has been much talk of City types moving abroad. Switzerland has been the country mentioned most often. The lure of Geneva, Zurich and Zug, it is supposed, will prove irresistible to London-based bankers because of the low tax regime. But will it [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS January 25, 2010 MASTER OF MACAROONS COMES TO LONDON Parisian pâtissière to the stars Pierre Hermé is to come to London. Naturally he’ll have a Knightsbridge boutique – but that’s scheduled for summer. In the meantime, his gilded macaroons and bonbons will be on sale at Selfridges, from 5 February. Hermé is credited with creating the modern macaroon, [...]