There are several New Yorkers who must have been watching the successful Spring launch of Daniel Boulud's Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge particularly carefully. It seems that London is fast becoming the go-to place for American restaurateurs wishing to expand their portfolio.
First we heard through an interview with Richard Caring in the Sunday Times that Keith McNally - the man behind popular brasseries Balthazar and Pastis would be opening his first UK branch of both Balthazar and his latest Manhattan opening, Pulino's, in London in the near future.
Now we understand, courtesy of New York business site Crain's that several more high profile restaurants from the Big Apple could be coming our way. They cite an interview with Steven Kamali - a property broker - who explains that London is particularly attractive at the moment because of all the hotel rooms it currently has under development.
According to Kamali, the New York restaurants looking for sites in central London include Meatpacker District's Bistrot Bagatelle and Midtown's Quality Meats. News of the latter will surely have London's carnivores wondering whether the 64-oz double cut steak for two will survive the menu's trip across the pond.
So should Londoners be excited about all this? And if so, why? Take a look at Polpo owner Russell Norman's blog where he asks the burning question: Are New York restaurants better than London restaurants?
