Moving on: January 2014

Restaurant openings and closings in Chelsea this month

 

Seeing red

The Red House on Chelsea Green has become another short-lived venue. Of it The Independent’s John Walsh commented: “I’d rather dine in Café Rouge than Maison Rouge” and despite having excellent staff in the form of Princess Eugenie’s boyfriend Jack Brooksbank and ex-Admiral Codrington barman Steven Evans, notices have been posted in the windows announcing: “The venue is closed until further notice”. The Red House website has also been taken down. Normally, this tends to mean: “The fat lady has sung”.

 

Aiken’d out

The flagship restaurant of Tom Aikens’ empire in Elystan Street, Chelsea closes at the end of the month. Beset by problems and “dire financial troubles”, Aikens plans to reopen in the West End later in the year and is focusing on building his Tom’s Kitchen brand. A premium of offers in excess of £500,000 is sought for the 2,866 square foot premises by Cedar Dean Gilmarc with a passing rent of £175,000 per annum.

 

A fire sale

Variously known as The Cromwellian Cocktail Bar & Discotheque, the Firehouse, Chloe, Dorsia and The Hudson Club, No. 3 Cromwell Road is also now for sale with Cedar Dean Gilmarc. This 3,800 square foot three-level premises is currently laid out as a bar, club and restaurant and is subject to a passing rent of £100,000 per annum. With a 3am licence for the ground and basement floors Monday to Saturday and previously the haunt of Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, a premium of £500,000 is sought for this somewhat cursed venue.

 

Sinatra’s out

Sushi des Artistes on Sloane Avenue is quite possibly one of the strangest restaurants we’ve ever had occasion to visit. With bizarre décor and a menu featuring dishes named after Frank Sinatra’s songs, our readers were less than impressed. One – a respected financier – commented: “My sushi loving children thought this place horrific”. Unsurprisingly it’s now for sale at a premium of £400,000 and a passing rent of £140,000. Cedar Dean Gilmarc are the agents for this weird attempt at a restaurant also.

 

Jak’s quad

The empire of Valentino Seferi is expanding. Opening imminently at 172 Walton Street, on the site of the former Baity Kitchen, is the fourth outlet of the Jak’s empire in the same street. There’s plainly no stopping Mr Jak.

 

 

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