Michelin-Starred Mayfair Restaurant Will Close Before Christmas

Bonhams will close on 19 December. The Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant inside the prestigious Bonhams auction house, helmed by chefs Theo Clench and Tom Kemble, held a Michelin star from 2015, having opened in January of the same year.

Current head chef and successor to Kemble, Clench announced the news on Instagram, writing that “due to new owners of the company the decision has been made that there is no room in the big world of Bonhams for our little hidden gem.” Clench went on to thank those involved in the restaurant’s life over three years:

“Me and @tfkemble achieved something way bigger than us or anyone expected. I want to thank all the team past and present for all the hard work and dedication over the last 4 years! I wish I could tag them all! More importantly I want to thank all the amazing suppliers and most importantly every single guest over the years who have walked through our doors.”

Clench later told Eater London that, “the new owners wish to focus the business back on their main priority of auctioneering.” He said that the hallmark of Bonhams’ style, and cooking, was that: “At Bonhams we don’t really take notice of trends or what other people are doing. We just cook what we think is great and what we think people want to eat.” The restaurant’s menus recently took a renewed focus on British day-boat seafood under Clench’s stewardship. Clench also told Eater that, “I’d love to open my own place. I’ve got a clear idea and concept of what want to do. I’m going down all routes but I am looking for investment.”

The 225-year-old auction house was sold earlier this year, to private equity firm Epiris; it had previously been owned by private shareholders, including ex-Christies executive Robert Brooks. Eater has contacted Epiris and Tom Kemble for comment.

More soon.