Gordon Ramsay to take on second restaurant at the Savoy

Chef-restaurateur Gordon Ramsay will take on operations of the River restaurant at the Savoy, due to open next month following a renovation by designer Russell Sage.

The River restaurant will be located in the heart of the hotel, overlooking the River Thames, offering both hotel guests and diners a relaxed, all-day dining space.

The team will be led by executive chef Matt Worswick and the menu will focus on UK shellfish and seafood. Fresh oysters, caviar and seabass ceviche with blood orange and fennel will be served at the centre-piece raw bar, while dishes from the menu will include tandoori monkfish curry, swordfish schnitzel or whole baked Cornish turbot.

Ramsay has operated the Savoy Grill at the 267-bedroom, five-red-AA-starred property since 2003, while the Grill has existed for more than 100 years, as long as the hotel itself.

He said: “I absolutely love the Savoy. I never tire of walking across the historic Strand forecourt, through the revolving doors and into the stunning hotel lobby. Eighteen years ago, it was a dream come true to take over the Savoy Grill, so to be trusted with a second restaurant in the heart of this incredible location, is an absolute honour.

"The UK has some of the finest shellfish and seafood in the word and I’m delighted we are going to showcase this amazing produce and support the hard-working providers too. The team are raring to go and I’m really look forward to welcoming our guests to the new restaurant in the coming weeks.”

Franck Arnold, managing director of the Savoy, said: “We’re really excited to play host to the next outpost in Gordon Ramsay’s collection of spectacular restaurants and to extend our collaboration with him. I have no doubt that the River restaurant will become a destination for lovers of great food the world over and a welcome addition to our culinary choices for our guests.

"The design is beautiful and having enjoyed tasting the menus to come, I know the dining will be quite delicious! Gordon is the most celebrated chef of his generation and leads a wonderfully talented team, just as revolutionary chef Auguste Escoffier did back in his time at the Savoy. So this next step in our future reflects our past and our ever-present desire to innovate and work with the best of the best. We can’t wait for it to open.”

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants has 24 restaurants in the UK and a further 17 internationally and more openings planned, with a portfolio including the three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay with more recent expansion into more casual dining brands such as Bread Street Kitchen.