Amuse-bouches: The latest restaurant news bites

In restaurant news this week: the new ‘rule of six’ has meant people are less confident about eating out according to a new study, The Savoy announces a new managing director, and the man behind the launch of Noma Mexico prepares to open a restaurant in London.

A dish from Kol, due to open in October

New government restrictions damages consumer confidence to eat out, CGA finds: The ban on meetings of more than six people in England, Scotland and Wales has left 31% of people feeling less confident about dining and eating out, a snap poll by CGA has found. CGA found that 59% of those intending to go out had cancelled plans, and would not be rearranging.

Eat Out to Help Out gave £250 million back to government: New data from the British Beer & Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeeping and UKHospitality has revealed that the Eat Out to Help Out scheme generated £250 million for the government, and helped to save thousands of jobs in the hospitality sector. 200,000 members of staff were able to come out of furlough early as trading increased, saving the government almost £150 million.

The Savoy announces new managing director: London’s Savoy hotel has announced the appointment of Franck Arnold as its new managing director and regional vice president. Arnold will start in his new role on 21 September before the phased reopening of the hotel begins on 24 September. Arnold has over 30 years’ experience in the luxury hospitality sector, with stints with IHG, Four Seasons, Rocco Forte, Ritz-Carlton and independent hotels in Europe and North America.

Searcys launches in Chelsea with partnership with Louis Pommery: Searcys has launched in Chelsea with a new afternoon tea menu at the Saatchi Gallery Bar and Brasserie. The experience features tableware from British potters Wedgwood and food paired with English sparkling wine courtesy of Louis Pommery, which was made in partnership with Champagne Pommery.

Michelin-starred Merseyside restaurant closes over Covid concerns: As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Merseyside’s only Michelin star restaurant, Fraiche, has closed to diners as a precaution due to Covid-19 concerns. Announcing the news on social media, chef Mark Wilkinson said that the decision was made after a member of his front of house team was unknowingly in contact with someone awaiting the results of a Covid-19 test.

Comedian Jack Whitehall to open residency in London: Hot Dinners reports that comedian Jack Whitehall is to bring his blog Foodslut to life with a residency at the Provisioners restaurant, near Tower Bridge. The menu includes the slutty burger, complete with a double patty, brown butter baconnaise, bread and butter pickles, crispy onions, lettuce and maple ketchup, as well as hot chicken sandwiches, Korean cauliflower bites and peanut butter cheesecake.

New openings:

Nebula: Pizza, beer and cocktail joint Nebula is set to open tomorrow (12 September) on the Hackney Road in London. It is the brainchild of drinks writer and consultant Nate Brown, founder of the Franciscan Well Brew Pub Shane Long, and Sam Morgan of MEAT fame.

Kol: Santiago Lastra, who helped to launch Noma in Mexico, is now opening his own restaurant in London called Kol. Expect a Mexican-themed menu with tacos, ceviche and corn husk ice cream. The wines will mainly be sourced from central and eastern Europe. Kol will open in October.