Gordon Ramsay (right in photo) has acquired the former site of Le Gavroche in Mayfair, with chef Matt Abé (left) shifting from his flagship, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, to take charge of the as-yet-unnamed new venture.
Michel Roux closed Le Gravroche, in Upper Brook Street, just over a year ago, ending the Roux family’s 57-year reign over what was often described as the pinnacle of French gastronomy in the capital. The move comes more than 25 years after Gordon launched his career as a restaurateur by taking over the premises of another Gallic giant, Pierre Koffmann’s La Tante Claire in Royal Hospital Road.
The announcement comes in a week when it also emerged that private equity firm Lion Capital had increased its investment in Gordon Ramsay Restaurants as part of the merger of its UK and US-based operations into one London-based group comprising almost 100 venues around the world. Lion invested $100m in 2019 to fund the operation’s North American expansion; the two partners each own 50% of the business, with franchising now scheduled to play a major part in its future growth.
Unveiling his plans for Le Gavroche, the TV chef made reference to his stint in its kitchen brigade under the late Albert Roux. He said: “Le Gavroche holds some incredible memories from my early career. When I heard the property was going to be available, it felt like the right moment to support Matt and come full circle with a restaurant that I loved so much.
“It has been incredible watching Matt grow throughout the 18 years we have worked together. He is such a talent and now is absolutely the right time for him to take this next step in his career.”
Australian-born Matt has run the kitchen at RGR since Clare Smyth left in 2016 to launch Core in Notting Hill. He says: “This is a dream come true for me. After 16 years at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, I’m ready to grow my ambition and open my own restaurant.
“I am grateful to Gordon for his support, the faith he has shown in me, and I am incredibly excited about this huge opportunity.”
The opening date and name for the new venture will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Meanwhile, Gordon has told ITV’s Jonathan Ross that 477 maneki-neko cat figurines costing £4.50 each had been stolen last week from the Lucky Cat restaurant at his newly opened hospitality complex at the 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper in the City.
