Owners of Emilia at Bonhams 'very sad' to announce permanent closure

Daniel Morgenthau and Will Lander, the founders of Emilia at Bonhams in London's Mayfair, said they are "very sad" to permanently close the restaurant.

A statement issued by Lander said: "It was a great honour to operate in the site and we were humbled by the opportunity given to us by the Bonhams team and the warm welcome we received from all of them while there. "

Morgenthau and Lander, the duo behind Michelin-starred Portland, Quality Chop House and Clipstone in London's Fitzrovia, opened Emilia at Bonhams in April 2019. It was the fourth site of the Woodhead Restaurant Group.

It is believed that Morgenthau and Lander will focus on reopening their other restaurants.

Located within Bonham's flagship London auction house, Emilia paid homage to the north Italian region Emilia-Romagna, the "culinary heartland of Italy". In a review last year for The Guardian, Jay Rayner said the restaurant served "some of London's best Italian food".

Former school friends Morgenthau and Lander opened their first restaurant, Portland, in 2015, utilising their experience from business and banking careers. It is not yet known what plans there are for the restaurant space within Bonhams post Emilia's departure.

Image: Shutterstock