Caer Rhun Hall West Yorkshire-based Northern Powerhouse Developments (NPD) has announced the opening of Caer Rhun Hall, a three-storey, late Victorian mansion in North Wales.
The group acquired the Grade II-listed property near Conwy two years ago and has given it an extensive, multimillion-pound refurbishment, creating 32 bedrooms. The hotel will operate as luxury accommodation with breakfast, and cater to weddings, conferences and events, as well as offering afternoon tea.
The group plans to add further rooms in the grounds, targeting 80 bedrooms by the end of 2019, as well as a restaurant and spa over the next 18 months, to transform the venue into a destination hotel and spa.
Caer Rhun Hall, which is set in 20 acres of parkland and gardens, is part of the company's 18-strong hotel portfolio either open or in development and sits in its Manor Collection.
Opened 8 August
General manager Aled Humphries
Bedrooms 32, with plans to grow to 80 by the end of 2019
Owner/operator Northern Powerhouse Developments
Website www.caerrhunhall.co.uk
Bánh Bánh Brixton
Family-run Vietnamese brand Bánh Bánh has opened its second London restaurant, in Brixton. The concept is inspired by the Nguyen siblings' grandmother's recipes from when she worked as a chef in Saigon in the 1940s.
Covers 62
Owners Tien, An, Vi, Yung and Dung Nguyen
Typical dishes Beef in betel leaves; bánh xèo sizzling crêpe; and bánh khot pancakes (turmeric and coconut pancakes with tiger prawns)
Website www.banhbanh.com/brixton
Bistrot Pierre Plymouth
French restaurant brand Bistrot Pierre has opened 14 guest rooms opposite its restaurant in Plymouth's Royal William Yard. The accommodation is in Residence One, a listed building with period Georgian features. Breakfast at the bistrot is included as part of the overnight package.
Bedrooms 14
Design Gillespie Yunnie Architects
Starting room rate £125
Website www.bistrotpierre.co.uk/rooms/plymouth
Burnham Beeches tea room
The Burnham Beeches hotel near Slough on the Buckinghamshire-Berkshire border has opened a Laura Ashley tea room, the first stage of its rebranding as a Laura Ashley property. In spring 2019, the 82-bedroom hotel will be refurbished, showcasing the Laura Ashley home range.
Afternoon tea prices £24 per person
Head pastry chef Laura Zilio
Hotel general manager Alex Robertson
Website www.lauraashleyhotels.com
Gunpowder
Harneet and Devina Baweja have opened a second Gunpowder restaurant in London, at One Tower Bridge, with a new menu of small dishes and bar snacks. The same team will open Custard bakery on the ground floor in October.
Covers 60
Head chef Nirmal Save
Design Block1
Typical dishes Peanut masala chaat; chicken lollipop Madras-style; and Bengali fish fingers
Website www.gunpowderlondon.com
Manifesto Pizza
Manifesto, a ‘seasonal pizzeria' from former director of produce supplier Natoora Vittorio Maschio, has opened in London's Clapham. The menu features just six pizzas plus one ‘gourmet special' each week. Pizzas are made using the biga-style technique of dough production, biga being a bread starter that is commonly used in Italian baking.
Covers 30
Owner Vittorio Maschio
Website www.manifestopizza.com
Soane's Kitchen
Alex Head, the founder of London catering company Social Pantry, has launched a new restaurant and café called Soane's Kitchen at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery in London's Ealing, which was built in 1800-1804 by British architect Sir John Soane as a country retreat.
Covers 70, plus a 30-cover private dining area
Design Jestico + Whiles
Typical dishes Burrata with broad beans and radish; and bavette steak with carrot top pesto
Website www.soaneskitchen.com