The Sandeman Port Company is reopening its restaurant The Don in its historic former headquarters in the City, following a four-year closure and a complete refurbishment. The Don is part of what is now called the Sandeman Quarter in St Swithin’s Lane, where Scotsman George Sandeman founded the company in 1790. The redeveloped premises now […]

Continue reading


Former Gordon Ramsay chef Tamer Hassan is to open an ambitious Asian restaurant in Sunderland which he is pitching as “Victorian glamour meets downtown Tokyo”. Hidden Lotus will occupy part of the Grade II listed late-Victorian Sheepfolds Stables, scheduled to open after renovation later this year under the city’s £500million riverside masterplan. The restaurant will […]

Continue reading


The Gurkhas, a new restaurant serving an “elevated” take on traditional Nepalese cooking, opens in Fitzrovia on Tuesday next week (28 March). The team behind The Gurkhas make an interesting combination: founder Shrabaneswor Rai is Nepalese, but is best-known as the co-owner of Japanese restaurant Hot Stone in Islington and new Japanese opening Kibako in […]

Continue reading


Mano Mayfair, billed as a “swanky Brazilian fusion bar and restaurant“, returns to a permanent address in Mill Street next Friday (31 March), having occupied a perch in nearby Heddon Street last year. Brazilian TV chef Rafa Gomes, who has restaurants in Rio and Paris, is behind the menu, taking over from Luciana Berry, who […]

Continue reading