Monday Bulletin: Lyle’s to close & a new design studio from Shayne Brady

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

To get the CODE Bulletin direct to your inbox every Monday morning sign up here

Lyle’s

It’s the end of an era. Lyle’s is to close its doors on Sunday 18 May after eleven years in Shoreditch. Its chef and founder James Lowe will launch his own solo project (to be announced) in 2026, while his partners in the business, JKS Restaurants, will retain the Tea Building site for a new project (also tba). Anyone hoping to eat at Lyle’s one last time will likely be disappointed; all remaining services are now fully booked. “I couldn’t be prouder of everything that we’ve accomplished at Lyle’s over the last eleven years. I love what we’ve done, how we’ve grown, adapted and learned,” comments Lowe. “While I’ll be sad to say goodbye to Lyle’s, I’m looking forward to what comes next.” Lyle’s will live on in London’s collective memory as one of the defining modern British restaurants of its time. It won a Michelin star 18 months after opening; spent seven years on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list; and, with its pioneering Guest Series, helped engender the collaborative culture that has so enriched the capital’s kitchens.

Studio Shayne Brady

Shayne Brady, the designer behind some of London’s most beautiful restaurants including The Park and The Aubrey at the Mandarin Oriental, has launched his own eponymous design studio, Studio Shayne Brady. Brady, who made his name as co-founder of his previous practice BradyWilliams in 2013 with Emily Williams, is known for his sumptuously detailed, theatrical interiors and collaborative, concept-to-completion approach. The new studio’s upcoming projects include the highly anticipated revival of Simpson’s in the Strand for longstanding client Jeremy King.

Small Plates

• Hats off to wagamama, the first restaurant chain to join the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme. The scheme, run by Endometriosis UK, aims to tackle taboos around menstrual health and improve support for the 1 in 10 women. Find out more here.
   
• ADOH!, a new Sri Lankan street food concept from Kolamba’s Eroshan and Aushi Meewella, will make its debut in Covent Garden this summer. On the menu: four variations on kothu (chopped roti); crispy mutton rolls; devilled sausage; and salted jaggery soft serve.
   
• Tickets are now on sale for Meatopia, the original live fire festival, which returns to Tobacco Dock in London from 28-31 August. Stoking the embers: Marie Mitchell, Gorka’s George Husband and George Brown, and The Gentleman Smoker™ Rasheed Philips.
  
  
• Sacha Townsend (The Man Behind The Curtain, The Rabbit in the Moon) has been promoted to head chef at Kray Treadwell’s Birmingham restaurant, 670 Grams. Treadwell takes on the executive chef role.
  
  
• StreetSmart has announced that its annual fundraising campaign raised over £1 million for the second consecutive year. The total was collected via £1 bill donations made at more than 600 restaurants across 22 UK regions.
  
  
• Rochelle Canteen and Fatto a Mano have collaborated on two spring pizzas (available at Fatta a Mano branches until 18 May). They’ll be toasting the collab at Fatto a Mano in Bethnal Green on 8 May with an evening of snacks, spritzes, pizza, and free-flowing Negronis. Tickets £40 (CODE members get £10 off)
  
  
• Missed Tatale? Akwasi Brenya-Mensa’s pan-African restaurant is back with the first in a quarterly series of residencies. First up, Paradise Soho from 19-25 May, where he’ll be joined by friends including Rahel Stephanie and James Cochran. Tickets from £69.
  
  
• Finally, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Richard Vines, the former chief food critic for Bloomberg, who passed away last week at the age of 71. Vines was a loyal friend and champion of so many in the industry. He will be greatly missed.