Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bonheur by Matt Abé

Published: 04 August, 2025

Opening this autumn at the site formerly occupied by Le Gavroche on Upper Brook Street in Mayfair, comes Bonheur by Matt Abé. The new establishment is spearheaded by former chef patron of the three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Abé. Translating to ‘happiness’ in French, the chef aims for Bonheur to be a place of escapism for its diners, with menus featuring classically informed creations with a contemporary flourish. Offering either more approachable á la carte options or a tasting menu, reservations at the venue are likely to be in demand. Keeping tight lipped on further menus and wine list details for now, expect style and sophistication from this well-regarded Aussie gastronomer.

Purnell’s restaurant closes after 17 years amid wider Michelin-star closures

Published: 14 October, 2024

Glynn Purnell’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Purnell’s, has shut its doors after 17 years. The Birmingham-based restaurant served its final guests on 12 October, with Purnell citing economic challenges and pressures on the hospitality sector as key reasons for the closure.

On-trade: The psychology of wine lists

Published: 02 October, 2024

James Bayley digs deep into what makes a wine list tick.

Exclusive: Bewes and Saunders chart the future for Hallgarten and Coterie

Published: 20 December, 2023

The sale of leading specialist importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines from the Pieroth family has been five years in the making, Harpers has learned. Now, as it moves its portfolio of premium on-trade accounts and producers to Coterie Holdings, a new chapter is in store for both businesses as they look to bolster their portfolios and advance their march into the fine wine market, with Coterie, in particular, looking to establish its hold as a key player in the nation’s top restaurants.

Roux folds under Covid pressure

Published: 07 December, 2020

Plummeting footfall in central London has done for Roux at Parliament Square, with Michel Roux Jr announcing the permanent closure of the well-loved Westminster site.