As one iconic Michelin-starred restaurant closes in New York, with Momofuku Ko set to shut its doors this year, another prepares to open in London - The Wolseley City.
Two-Michelin starred restaurant Momofuku Ko is set to serve its last plates after 15 years of service, just two months after sister restaurant Momofuku Ssäm Bar, also founded by chef David Chang, closed. In 2019, leadership of the Momofuku brand was assumed by new CEO Marguerite Zabar Mariscal who set about starting to restructure the business. Her impact has led to certain key locations closing, whilst shifting focus to the expansion of the brand's pantry products in retail chains including Whole Foods and Target.
In a statement on the brand's Instagram page, it said: after 15 incredible years of service, we are pausing operations at ko on november 4th. we won't call this a goodbye, but ko will no longer operate in the way it has. we'll share details about our plans for the ko space in the new year, but for now, we just want to say thank you.
ko was an impossible dream—an achievement we never could have imagined when momofuku first opened as a small noodle shop in the east village twenty years ago. the heights we reached there stand as a testament to the dedication of a small group of people who believed in themselves and ignored all doubters. we're forever grateful to everyone who lent their talents to ko, and everyone who joined us on the other side of the counter.
Elsewhere, in London, the ever-popular Wolseley is getting ready to welcome a sibling restaurant to the fold with the new venue, The Wolseley City, set to open its doors early November. The new opening is the latest from The Wolseley Hospitality Group following Manzi's opening in Soho earlier this summer.
The new restaurant, set to open just north of London Bridge by Monument station, will apparently feature two private dining rooms and three bars alongside the main dining space.
On The Wolseley City's website, it says of the new venue: Coming to the London dining scene on the twentieth anniversary year of its older iconic sister restaurant, The Wolseley City brings a sense of familiarity and timeless elegance to the London Square Mile. Offering guests a destination dining experience, inspired by its heritage in hospitality and refined classics.
Find out more here.