Leon Rubbishes Claims That Allergy Precautions ‘Turn Away Customers’

Rosa’s Thai announces first restaurant outside the capital

Small chain success story Rosa’s Thai will open 25 February in Liverpool, at the Royal Albert Dock development. It joins Honest Burgers and Dishoom in pursuing expansion strategies in the north of England.

Leon rubbishes nonsense claims that it is turning away customers

Bizarre accusations of discrimination followed the chain’s blog post in which it said, “The idea that Leon could cause harm to one of our guests is horrifying. And we would therefore ask those of you with serious allergies, to consider carefully whether you choose to dine with us.” The ‘healthy’ fast food chain’s transparency over the impossibility of completely eradicating allergy risks led to headlines in the Daily Mail and the Times claiming it had said “don’t eat here.” It had not. [The Caterer]

Slick Japanese coffee shop will sling covetable tote bags and also coffee

% Arabica’s first London café will be on Broadway Market, in east London.

Andrew Wong’s Bloomberg Arcade follow-up rolls out takeaway offer

Kym’s, at the Bloomberg Arcade in the City, is launching its promised takeaway lunch boxes in a play to the grab-and-go worker footfall in the area. The follow-up to Andrew Wong’s Michelin-starred A. Wong in Pimlico will serve Cantonese crispy pork belly, soy-poached chicken, or Sichuanese spiced aubergine over rice for £10. Launches Wednesday 23 January at 12p.m., with the first 150 boxes at £1. [Hot Dinners]