Stefan Chomka

8 min

The man who built a beefy empire

🍔 Riccardo Giraudi, creator of restaurant brands such as Le Petit Beefbar and Beefbar, started his empire in 2005. With locations worldwide, including Monaco, Europe, the US, Asia, and Africa, he categorizes his establishments into 'modern luxury', 'heritage brands', 'hype and relaxed', 'casual cool', and 'fast casual'. Giraudi's Beefbar brand, which began in Monaco in 2005, now has around 36 venues globally with 20 more planned, including in Prague, T'bilisi, Bahrain, Marrakech, Strasbourg, and on ocean liners. By 2023, he aims to operate about 45 or 50 Beefbars. His first US Beefbar opened in April in New York's Tribeca, taking over the former Nobu site after two years of construction. In the UK, Le Petite Beefbar launched in late 2021 in Chelsea, London, and another in Edinburgh. Giraudi also has a partnership with Antinori for Cantinetta Antinori, with the latest opening in London's Knightsbridge. His future plans involve opening more brands, a second African Queen in Dubai, a Zeffirino in Istanbul, and expansion of his pizza brand Pizz’Aria in London.

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2 min

Pollen Street Social to reopen as grill-focused restaurant Mary’s

🍞 Mayfair's Pollen Street Social set to close on 31 July, transitioning to pop-up 'Mary’s' on 16 August, with a permanent change planned for next year. Executive Chef Alex Parker will lead, featuring The Blind Pig bar, a £14 single-option smashed burger bar, and a transformed chef’s counter. The pop-up will run until 31 December before a four-month closure for renovations. Reopening will introduce 'Meat and Two Veg'—a smashed burger and plant-based burger bar, with a 'grill heavy' main restaurant. Named after a cherished patron, Mary’s is part of Jason Atherton’s series of 2023 launches, including 'Hot Dogs by Three Darlings' in Harrods, 'Sael' in St James’s, 'Three Darlings' in Chelsea, and 'Row on 5' in November with Spencer Metzger on Savile Row.

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