Alan Yau to launch first pub venture

The 4,500sq ft pub will close and undergo a complete refurbishment. 

Yau launched Wagamama in 1992 and has opened a number of other well-known restaurants including Hakkasan and Yauatcha.

Earlier this year, he acquired the Automat American Brasserie site in London’s Mayfair with a Busaba Eathai/Naamyaa type concept mooted for the ground floor and an upscale Chinese restaurant for the basement.

Josh Leon, Associate Director at DCL, whidch acted on the Berwick Street deal, said: “Alan Yau is highly successful in the restaurant industry, but few details have yet been released about this, his first foray into Soho pubs.  Exactly what he is going to do remains to be seen, but I am sure it will be new and interesting with his trademark attention to detail and high standards."

Last September, he helped launch Naamyaa, the more accessible spin-off of the Busaba Eathai chain he conceived, and which is run by his wife, Jale Erentok. He has also been consulting on numerous projects including a Russian sushi business, a major pan-Asian restaurant in New York and Toto’s, an upmarket Italian in Knightsbridge.