‘Fit for a King’ : the top end Hyde Park diner being proposed by famous restaurateur

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

A famous restaurant owner, whose venues have been visited by Princess Diana and Mick Jagger, has applied to run a “high class” eatery off Hyde Park in a block where flats sell for up to £11m.

Renowned restaurateur Jeremy King, who has managed iconic venues like Le Caprice, The Wolseley and The Delaunay, has applied to run a restaurant inside Park Modern apartments that would be open seven-days-a-week, according to a Westminster City council report.

Mr King has not confirmed a menu yet, but venues he has previously managed now sell caviar for £160 and a bottle of Dom Pérignon for £295.

According to developers Fenton Whelan, the new venue will be called ‘The Park’ and customers could be able to wine and dine until 11.30pm most nights.

But the plans – which could be approved as early as tomorrow (Thursday) by the council – have been met with resistance by residents’ associations.

Southern East Bayswater Residents Association and the Bayswater Residents Association said keeping the restaurant open until 11.30pm Monday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday could lead to more noise at night.

In a submission to the council, they wrote: “We are concerned that the hours proposed and the nature of the licence if granted as presented would lead to an increase in public nuisance, including from dispersal of customers late at night and issues with servicing.”

They’re arguing opening hours should be pared back and extra conditions put on the sale of alcohol because the proposed restaurant falls within what’s known as a Special Consideration Zone.

But Mr King’s company applying to run the venue said their proposal was “sensible and appropriate”. A letter they submitted shows they engaged with the council’s environmental health team and the Met Police.

A spokesman for developers Fenton Whelan said: “We have been in regular contact with the Southern East Bayswater Residents Association and have comprehensively addressed all their concerns regarding the restaurant. The new restaurant represents a substantial investment into the local Queensway economy and this is very welcomed locally.”

The development consists of 52 apartments and a mix of penthouses and mews houses and has its own private cinema and games room.

Pictured top: Jeremy King (Picture: JK)