Hakkasan Group closes Sake No Hana restaurant

Hakkasan Group has quietly closed Japanese fine dining restaurant Sake No Hana, a decade after it bought the site.

As first reported by Eater London, the restaurant shut its doors on 5 October and announced its closure on social media.

A post on the restaurant's Facebook page said: "We are sad to announce that Sake No Hana will close its doors permanently from today.

"We have really enjoyed being a part of London's exciting and innovative restaurant scene for the past 10 years."

Sake No Hana was opened in St James' in 2008 by restaurateur Jamie Barber and Evgeny Lebedev, who now owns both the Evening Standard and Independent newspapers. It was sold to Hakkasan, which was founded by Wagamama creator Alan Yau, in 2011 for an undisclosed sum.

At the time, Barber told The Caterer: "Sake No Hana was set up with Alan Yau on board as a consultant, so in some way it's come full circle. It has returned to its spiritual home."

A representative for Hakkasan said in a statement: "Sake no Hana was best known for bringing together Hakkasan's efficient and intuitive service style with a carefully selected menu, to deliver a Japanese restaurant experience of the highest quality.

"Sake no Hana would like to thank all of its guests for their continued support over the years.

"Hakkasan Group will continue to operate in London with guests able to experience similar standards of hospitality at Hakkasan Hanway Place, Hakkasan Mayfair, Yauatcha Soho and Yauatcha City with Sake no Hana's staff being retained within these venues."

Hakkasan was acquired by US-based Tao Group Hospitality for an undisclosed sum earlier this year. The wider company runs over 60 entertainment, dining, and nightlife venues across 20 markets worldwide.

Image: Facebook / SakeNoHanaLondon