10th May 2019
Sushimania, led by Paul Cheung-led, has the former Busaba Eathai site in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The ten-strong group has secured the site in Verulam Road, which closed last year, for an opening later this summer.
Earlier this year, Sushimania opened its first site solely focused on grab and go – and its first in central London. The former Subway unit in Charing Cross Road opened in February. Sushimania opened its first store in Golders Green, London, in 2011, launching three further sites in the capital and one each in Brighton, Reading, Cambridge, Oxford and Nottingham.
Doncaster-based restaurateur opens Argentine steakhouse for third site, plans fourth venue: Doncaster-based restaurateur Masud Rana has opened an Argentine steakhouse in the South Yorkshire town for his third site – and is planning a fourth venue. Rana has launched La Boca in the former Maridon Centre and Chapel in Nether Hall Road. The 60-seater restaurant offers grilled meat, salads, burgers and sandwiches. Drinks include Argentinian wine and cocktails. Rana told the Doncaster Free Press he now plans to open a Brazilian rodizio steakhouse. Diners are given a card with a green and red side. Holding up green means a diner is ready to eat. Rana also owns La Rustica Italian in Doncaster and La Fiesta Tapas Bar and Restaurant in nearby Armthorpe.
Katona confirms Mowgli move into Preston: Mowgli founder Nisha Katona has confirmed she will open a restaurant in Preston for her Foresight Group-backed Indian street food concept, with a prospective site lined up in Friargate. Mowgli operates restaurants in Liverpool and Manchester (two each) and one each in Birmingham, Nottingham, Oxford and Sheffield. It is also due to open sites in Cardiff and Leicester this year. Katona told Blog Preston: “I am thrilled to be opening Mowgli Preston in 2020. I was born and raised a Lancashire lass and I’m now honouring my Lancashire roots. I worked as a barrister in Preston and would have given my right arm for the lunchtime smash, grab and zing of Mowgli Indian home kitchen so I’m building one and hope she brings you much joy. I have been hunting for a long time and I’m delighted to open Mowgli Preston, our soon to be home from home.”
Turkish restaurateur to double up: Turkish restaurateur Ercan Yuzey is to double up by opening a site in Horsham town centre. Plans are being put forward to establish an eatery offering “authentic Turkish food” at a site in Denne Road formerly occupied by Italian restaurant Carmela. Yuzey, who operates another Turkish restaurant in West Sussex, Zeytin in Haywards Heath, said he hoped to open the Horsham restaurant in three months’ time. He said: “We have a successful branch in Haywards Heath and want to bring the taste of Turkey to Horsham.” Yuzey said the restaurant would open from 7.30am to 11pm offering “reasonably priced” food such as full English and Turkish breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner. It will also bake its own bread. The full Turkish breakfast consists of halloumi, Turkish sausage, tomato, cucumber, olives, feta cheese, boiled eggs, honey and butter accompanied by Turkish tea.
Essex pair to open fifth restaurant: Essex businessmen Sharif Uddin and Shakil Islam are to open their fifth restaurant, this one a Mediterranean and Asian fusion restaurant and shisha lounge. Dusk in Brentwood will occupy two acres and offer shisha flavours from around the world. The restaurant in Ongar Road will have space for 140 diners in the main restaurant, which will offer a fusion of Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. The main menu has been designed by Dusk executive head chef and television personality Stephen Gomes. There will be a further 150 seats in an alfresco dining area where people can smoke flavoured shisha and eat from the street food menu. The site is scheduled to open on Friday, 7 June. The outside dining area will overlook Bentley golf course and Dusk customers will be able to use the club’s 500 car parking spaces.