Rick Stein favourite Como Lario closes after entering administration
Italian restaurant Como Lario close to London's Sloane Square has closed "until further notice" after falling into administration.
Phillip Sykes and Matthew Robert Haw of RSM Restructuring Advisory were appointed as administrators on 30 April.
The restaurant's sister site, Ziani's in Radnor Walk, Chelsea, remains operational and is not in administration.
When The Caterer visited Ziani's after finding Como Lario shut, owner Roberto Colussi confirmed the closure was due to a "lack of funds" in the struggling market.
Como Lario's last financial results posted to Companies House for the year end 30 November 2016 recorded a post-tax loss of £238,613 compared to a loss of £2,981 the year previous. Meanwhile for the same period Ziani's enjoyed a £17,090 profit.
The 65-cover Como Lario opened in Holbein Place in 1986 and was frequented by celebrities such as Pierce Brosnan, Nigella Lawson and Gary Lineker.
Cornish chef Rick Stein even had a "favourite table" at the restaurant and described it as "casual but exquisite" highlighting a favourite dish of osso bucco with saffron risotto.
Other dishes on the menu included fegato di vitello a piacere; carpaccio of fillet of beef served with rucola and parmesan; and eel baked with tomato, capers and black olives.
Between 2015 and 2018, the price for a three-course dinner, half a bottle of wine and coffee including cover charge, service and VAT at the restaurant rose by 46% from £43 to £70 according to the Harden's restaurant guide.
