Amuse-bouches: The latest restaurant news bites

In restaurant news this week: UK hospitality sales fall by 48% in Q3, Pizza Express announces further job cuts, Bao unveils a ‘dine-in cinema’ scheme and Gordon Ramsay gets ready to open another restaurant.

UK hospitality sales drop 48% in Q3: Sales in UK hospitality outlets fell by 48% in the third quarter of the year according to data from UKHospitality and CGA. Revenue fell by £17 billion compared to takings in the same period in 2019.

Pizza Express to cut 1,300 jobs: Chain restaurant Pizza Express has confirmed it will axe 1,300 more jobs, weeks after announcing it would make 1,100 workers redundant and close 73 sites. The latest job cuts will be spread across its 370 remaining outlets.

Nightclub owner not giving up on legal action: Jeremy Joseph, the owner of nightclub G-A-Y, posted an update on his legal action against the government’s coronavirus restrictions. He said the court has refused permission for the case to go ahead, however his lawyers still have the chance to argue their case. He said he still hadn’t seen any evidence “that comes close to justifying the [10pm] curfew” on hospitality.

Westminster City Council performs U-turn: Westminster City Council has scrapped its plans to charge hospitality firms £7 per square meeting of outdoor space once its dine alfresco scheme ends on 31 October, City AM reports.

Hoppers launches e-commerce site: Sri Lankan restaurant chain Hoppers, which is owned by JKS, is marking its fifth birthday with the launch of an online store called Cash & Kari. With nationwide delivery, the site includes meal kits, curry powders, pre-mixed cocktails and beers.

Bao and Mubi launch ‘dine-in cinema’: Taiwanese steamed bun specialist Bao has teamed up with film platform Mubi to launch a new ‘dine in cinema’ experience. Located at its Borough Market restaurant, the collaboration sees a series of horror films screened from 29 October to 29 December. Available to book for household groups of four to six people, tickets are priced at £20 and include a choice of six horror films.

Pink Prosecco on pour: Pink Prosecco finally reached our shores this week. To celebrate, Villa Sandi will be serving up its fizz at Adam Handling Chelsea from 21 November until the New Year. The restaurant team have devised a pink-themed afternoon tea menu, including dill-cured smoked salmon and cream cheese, red onion and stilton tartlet and a ‘pink parcel’ with blackcurrant mousse and vanilla brulée. The menu costs £65 with a glass of pink fizz.

Food in a box: An increasing number of restaurants are releasing meal kits. This week Bocca di Lupo released a range of boxes including a Christmas hamper, Smokestak also launched a special DIY Christmas treat, while Six by Nico and Northcote unveiled their nationwide offerings.

Openings:

Flat Iron, Marylebone: Steak chain Flat Iron will open the doors to a new site in Marylebone next month, complete with beef dripping chips and a heated outdoor terrace.

Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza, Southwark: Gordon Ramsay is to open his third Street Pizza site in London’s Southwark. Due to open next month, it will be located under the Union Street Café.