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Jeremy King, of Corbin and King — the owners of The Wolseley, Delaunay, and Brasserie Zedel — has announced that the company will close Bellanger, the group’s French brasserie in Islington. He also said plans were afoot for a new opening in Notting Hill Gate, west London.
“It is with great sadness I must inform you that, after over three years trading, we have decided to cease trading Bellanger on Sunday 11th August,” King wrote in his newsletter today.
“It is a great shame but, although we loved being in Islington, we just couldn’t make it the success we aspired to – unlike as has been in the case of Soutine [the group’s newest restaurant in St John’s Wood, its only other neighbourhood spot.]
He said that the numbers didn’t work: “Much as it had been a great critical success this wasn’t matched financially. And although we continued to trade for much longer than less patient operators might have persevered there came a point where we had to be pragmatic and move on to concentrate on new projects — the birth of Manzi’s in Soho, Notting Hill and indeed another rather interesting opportunity on the horizon.”
Soutine is the duo’s latest neighbourhood restaurant in St. John’s Wood, which is one of London’s hottest restaurants for winning formula of European classics, accessible luxury, and polished service, the formula that Corbin and King trace across their now seven-strong portfolio without ever letting it become formulaic. Manzi’s, a new Soho seafood restaurant in Bateman’s Buildings, is in the works.
About the Notting Hill restaurant, he said: “I am delighted to tell you that, after many years of searching, we have just confirmed the acquisition of a new site in Notting Hill Gate.
He was unable to “divulge further information just yet” but added that said it promised “to be just the site and location we have been seeking.”
The group’s critically acclaimed portfolio also includes essential London restaurant The Wolseley, on Piccadilly, as well as The Delaunay, Brasserie Zédel, Colbert, and Fischers, in Marylebone.
More soon.