Genuine Neighbourhood Restaurant Says Goodbye to Barnes After 33 Years

A neighbourhood restaurant run by one of London’s most successful long-term operators will close on 21 July. Rebecca Mascarenhas’ Sonny’s in Barnes, southwest London, will close after 33 years later this month.

“A pioneer of neighbourhood restaurants, Rebecca Mascarenhas has watched her customers enjoy the relaxed ambience of Sonny’s with its simple modern British menus over the past three decades,” a statement shared with Eater this lunchtime said.

Mascarenhas long-time collaborator, ex-Square head chef and Elystan Street chef-patron Phil Howard joined as co-owner of Sonny’s in 2014 when it was rebranded as Sonny’s Kitchen.

As well as Elystan Street in Chelsea, Mascarenhas and Howard co-own Kitchen W8 in Kensington; both have Michelin stars. Mascarenhaslso also owns Home SW15 in Putney.

Both say they are “keen supporters of young, emerging chefs and restaurateurs, and are investors in several London operations, which they will continue to do, as well as projects outside the hospitality industry.” They recently backed Gezellig in Holborn, which opened last month.

News of plans for the next stage of the Barnes restaurant will be announced in the next month, the statement said.

More soon.