Richard Caring Has Acquired Knightsbridge Site For a New Harry’s Bar Restaurant

Richard Caring’s Caprice Holdings restaurant group have acquired the site formerly occupied by Cafe Rouge on Basil Street in Knightsbridge, close to the Harrods department store. MCA have reported that Caring “plans to launch a new restaurant version of his Mayfair-based Harry’s Bar members club in Knightsbridge.”

When contacted this morning by Eater London, Caprice Holdings issued the following statement:

“As of August 2017, Caprice Holdings has entered the licensing process for a space on 27-31 Basil St, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1BB, to open a new restaurant.”

Davis Coffer Lyons — the property agents — acted on behalf of Cadogan, the landlord. Eater London understands from sources close to the acquisition that Cadogan have insisted that the new venue should carry bespoke name. It has been rumoured that the new site will be called Harry Dolce.

The original Harry’s Bar — on South Audley Street in Mayfair — is, according to its website, “One of the most elegant and sophisticated private members' clubs in London.” It is known to attract a famous clientele and, inspired by Harry’s Bar in Venice, serves northern Italian cuisine.

MCA report that Caring has set up a new company, Harry’s Bar Restaurants Ltd. to oversee the project, which they’ve suggested is a test case for a potential rollout of the “upmarket Italian restaurant brand.” Caring acquired the Harry’s Bar brand when he purchased The Birley Group for £95m in 2007 — a private members group which also includes Annabel’s and Mark’s Club. The serial investor is also the 80% majority shareholder in the Soho House Group and a backer of the Bill’s restaurant chain.

• Caring plans Harry’s Bar opening in Knightsbridge [MCA]