Mayfair restaurants off?

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Are Mayfair restaurants off? Yes, according to FT Weekend

Did you see the article this weekend focused on the Mayfair restaurants looking at their ‘options’ ?

The Square, Hibiscus, I Robert, Princess Gardens of Mayfair are said to be unofficially looking at a few ideas such as relocating from Mayfair, selling on their leases for £m’s etc..

Pescatori Dover Street, closed earlier this week after 40 years serving the Mayfair community, the reason, landlord redevelopment.

This shouldn’t be a big surprise for all, the changes throughout Mayfair in recent years have been steered towards ever-rising rents and £m’s exchanging hands for ‘keys’ to the leases.

Was I surprised by the restaurants named in the FT article?

The Square- no, in-fact I discussed their possible closure just this week- it is not the food, it is the location and change in the London dining scene.

Hibiscus- slightly, although Maddox Street is in the midst of its redevelopment, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that some rent negotiations might take place.

I Robert- my heart sinks, I really wouldn’t like to see another restaurant bow out of that space, besides, it is a rather enjoyable restaurant!

Princess Gardens of Mayfair- Caprice Holdings have snapped this spot up- this shocks me. It is almost a Sunday institution for its regulars, for whom, I hope that Princess Gardens remains. A must visit for you before it closes.

Has the ‘arrival’ of Sexy Fish & Park Chinois created this sudden shift? I find that hard to believe, its more likely to be landlords, regrettably trying to taken advantage of new concepts and not thinking of the effects on the Mayfair community.