Glynn Purnell to open his third restaurant in historic Coventry monastery
Glynn Purnell is launching a new fine-dining restaurant in a Coventry monastery. The chef, who owns Purnell’s and Purnell’s Bistro in Birmingham, plans to open his third restaurant within the 14th-century Carthusian monastery, which is subject to a £8m restoration project, half of which has been funded by a National Lottery grant. Housed in a converted coach house, the restaurant will have 50 covers and serve tasting menus as well as à la carte. It is hoped the restaurant will open in time for 2021, when Coventry will be UK City of Culture.
James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy close Mayfair’s Magpie after two years
Mayfair restaurant Magpie has closed after just two years. The Heddon Street bistro, run by James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy, opened in 2017, serving a modern British take on dim sum, with dishes served from a trolley. Magpie is sister restaurant to Pidgin in Hackney, which remains open with new head chef Greg Clarke joining earlier this month.
Galvin brothers to be replaced by Mark Greenaway at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh
Chef Mark Greenaway is to replace the Galvin brothers at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh. Greenaway, who closed his own eponymous restaurant in the city last September, will open Grazing by Mark Greenaway in mid-April, serving signature dishes like BBQ shiitake mushrooms on toast and sticky toffee soufflé. The 170-cover dining room has been occupied by Galvin Brasserie de Luxe for seven years and closes on April 1.
Rowley Leigh to oversee kitchen at new Hammersmith opening Sam’s Riverside
Veteran chef Rowley Leigh has been named culinary director of forthcoming Hammersmith restaurant Sam’s Riverside. Leigh will work closely with head chef Harvey Trollope (ex-The Ritz) and the modern European menu will include a number of Anglo-French dishes. Leigh made his name as head chef of Notting Hill restaurant Kensington Place, which closes next week after 32 years.
Andrew Pern reopens his York restaurant five months after it was damaged by fire
The Star Inn the City in York has reopened its doors after a kitchen fire last year. The restaurant, which is owned by Andrew Pern of the Star Inn at Harome and Star Inn the Harbour in Whitby, suffered a serious blaze last November but its enforced closure over the past five months has resulted in a new kitchen layout and a new menu.
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