Gordon Ramsay’s former pub The Devonshire in Chiswick, London has been acquired by the man behind Islington’s Drapers Arms, and is set reopen in July under a new name.
Nick Gibson bought the Enterprise Inns lease of the Devonshire for an undisclosed sum, after Gordon Ramsay Holdings (GRH) closed the venue in June 2010 as a result of the “struggling pub market”.
Renamed The Devonshire Arms, the 90-cover pub will serve a similar menu to its sister venue in Islington, with a selection of British starters (from £6) and mains (from £12).
Also akin to the Drapers Arms, Gibson’s latest venue will not serve food between lunch and dinner, instead a bar snack menu featuring pork pies, haggis and pork sausage rolls, and courgette fritters will be available.
David Philpot, former senior chef of Caprice Holdings’ Le Caprice and The Ivy, will lead the kitchen as head chef, while Ryan Hayward, formerly of Sophie’s Steakhouse, will run the front of house operation.
Gibson, who spent around £200k on refurbishing the venue and hiring new staff, said: “It will have a slightly different look and will be very informal. It will feel like a pub so people will feel comfortable when they walk in and grab a table or sit at the bar.
“We won’t necessarily be doing burgers and chips and fish and chips. It will be honest, seasonal, enjoyable, British food that the chefs like themselves.
“I don’t know why Gordon Ramsay failed — it is a good site,” he added. “I’ll be paying 100 per cent attention.”
The Devonshire Arms will serve a wine list featuring 60 bottles, with six red and six white available by the glass, as well as one permanent ale and two rotating guest ales. The pub can also accommodate a further 45 covers outside.
Restaurant Property advised GRH on the sale of The Devonshire.
Source: Lesley Foottit, bighospitality.co.uk.