Monday Bulletin: Barrafina | Ben Murphy | Vignette

Catch up on the latest industry news stories of the week from the CODE Bulletin

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BARRAFINA

Big news from Harts Group: Barrafina is heading to Dubai. The first overseas outpost of the Spanish tapas bar, founded in Soho in 2007, is slated to open by the end of the year at DIFC Gate Village in partnership with Access Hospitality Group, where it will keep company with the likes of La Petite Maison and Zuma. The move highlights the company’s ambitions beyond the UK, with Barrafina Group managing director Anna Watkins confirming to Propel that the group is exploring further opportunities in the GCC and other international markets, with a focus, for now, on Barrafina. Harts Group, which also owns Quo Vadis, Parrillan, and El Pastor, joins a wave of leading UK operators on the overseas expansion trail, including JKS Restaurants and Dishoom which both have US openings in the offing.

BEN MURPHY

WSH Restaurants, known for The Woodspeen, has to make its London debut this autumn, in partnership with former Launceston Place chef Ben Murphy. 74 Charlotte Street by Ben Murphy launches at what was Mere in Fitzrovia this autumn.

VINETTE & VIVIEN

Edinburgh chef Stuart Ralston (Lyla, Noto, Tipo) has taken on the former Fhior site. He’ll open Vinette, a bar à vin, and Vivien, a cocktail bar, there in October. Jade Johnston, one of CODE’s Women of the Year 2025, is co-owner.

LOTI x UK HOSPITALITY

London On The Inside and UK Hospitality have written an open letter to Rachel Reeves, calling on the Government to act fast to save the hospitality industry, the UK’s third largest employer. Read, share, or support here.

• Four Thai kitchens (Singburi, Smoking Goat, som saa, Kin + Deum) are getting together for one night only at Singburi in Shoreditch on 19 September. First come, first served. Profits to Magic Breakfast.
   
• To mark its 20th anniversary, Linda Lee’s KOBA in Fitzrovia has a new look and a new menu to better reflect ‘Seoul as it is today’. Check it out from 23 September.
  
  
• Chef Robin Gill is opening a new café-deli-bar on 27 September. Bar Brasso will be inspired by the bar culture of Venice and San Sebastián. Txakoli on tap!
  
  
• Announcing ‘Rise to the Table’: a first-of-its-kind global mentorship programme by Rosewood Hotels, empowering women in F&B. Applications close 13 October.
  
  
• Clays, the immersive clay shooting concept and one of CODE’s Happiest Places To Work 2025, is opening its biggest venue yet in the former Park Row site in Soho on 24 September.
  
  
• Dante Takes Claridge’s, the New York bar residency in Mayfair, is extending its run until the end of the year. CODE members get 50% off.
  
  

WHAT WE’RE READING

Chip shop curry sauce and a local following: a first look at the reworked Bridge Arms: The Good Food Guide

The plant-based problem: why vegan restaurants are closing—or adding meat to the menu: The Guardian

Juliet restaurant review: ‘Tens across the board. Magnificent’: Giles Coren, The Times

THE DUMBWAITER

A meeting of national treasures: actor Danny Dyer was spotted at The French House. Half pints all round!

Hollywood and Hackney’s Idris Elba is said to have shelled out £6m for his old hang Laylow, the now shuttered private members’ club on Golborne Road.

The rumour around you know who opening a restaurant at you know where seems definitely not to be happening now. Back to Hammersmith we go. To Masala Zone, Piccadilly, for the launch of Camellia Panjabi’s Vegetables, The Indian Way, only her second book in 30 years. A ‘who’s who’ of food-writing was in attendance including Fay Maschler, Ajesh Patalay, and Paul Levy.