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McNally Said to Be Planning a Balthazar for London

Photo: Shanna Ravindra

Keith McNally famously turned down Steve Wynn’s offer to open a Balthazar in Vegas, but as New York’s recent profile of McNally made clear, he’s on a bit of different path after teaming up with Richard Caring, the Brit who currently owns the glitzy Ivy and Le Caprice empire, and who invested in Pulino’s. The London Evening Standard now reports that McNally and Caring are planning to open another Balthazar in London’s Covent Garden.

According to the item, “the 120-seater Balthazar would open from 7am to 1am during the week and aim to serve up to 1,000 customers a day throughout the day.” Ironically, it’s said McNally and Caring bumped the original owners of the the Ivy and Le Caprice, the esteemed Jeremy King and Chris Corbin, who had been vying for the Covent Garden space for over two years. If it’s really a go, don’t expect Balthazar London to open anytime soon — the entire project, including an art-gallery component, will need up to £30 million (or $43 million) of investment. That eff-me lighting doesn’t come cheap.

Caring Strikes ‘The New Wolseley’ off West End Menu [Evening Standard UK]

Update: Balthazar Not Crossing Pond Just Yet

McNally Said to Be Planning a Balthazar for London