Heston Blumenthal Closing London Restaurant
Chef Heston Blumenthal is shutting down his two-Michelin-star restaurant, “Dinner by Heston Blumenthal,” in London [https://www.thetimes.co.uk/life-style/food-drink/article/heston-blumenthal-interview-dinner-closing-michelin-mcwv0scpc], [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15627871/Heston-Blumenthal-closing-two-Michelin-star-London-restaurant.html]. Blumenthal says he wants to focus on new projects and culinary interests.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, located in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, will close in January 2027 after 16 years. The restaurant's tenancy at the hotel is ending, and rising food prices are also a factor in the decision. Blumenthal confirmed the "bittersweet" decision in an interview with *The Times*, but hinted at a possible relocation. The restaurant will offer a celebratory eight-course tasting menu in January, featuring dishes from its culinary archive. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal opened in 2011, with Ashley Palmer-Watts as head chef. It earned its first Michelin star in 2012 and a second in 2014. The restaurant is known for dishes inspired by historic British recipes, some dating back to the 13th century. Signature dishes include "Meat Fruit" (chicken liver parfait disguised as a mandarin orange) and "Tipsy Cake" (spit-roasted pineapple with brioche). At its peak, the restaurant sold 900 "Meat Fruits" per week. The restaurant also features a liquid nitrogen ice cream trolley. Blumenthal also runs The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, which holds three Michelin stars and was named the world's best restaurant in 2005. He also has a one-Michelin-star pub called The Hinds Head, also in Bray. Another "Dinner by Heston Blumenthal" location in Dubai is unaffected by the London closure. Blumenthal has been open about his diagnosis with bipolar disorder. He believes the condition contributed to his hyper-focus on his work. He is also an ambassador for the charity Bipolar UK. The closure follows other recent Michelin-starred restaurant closures in the UK, including Claude Bosi at Bibendum and La Dame de Pic. Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire is also temporarily closed.
