Latest news with #ChottoMatte
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Popular restaurant shuts all locations after 20 years on the high street
Popular dim sum restaurant Ping Pong has permanently closed its remaining restaurants, bringing an end to 20 years in operation. Ping Pong was launched in 2005 and once boasted 12 locations across London, including popular areas like Southbank, Soho, St. Christopher's Place and St. Paul's. But Ping Pong has now announced its remaining restaurants have permanently ceased trading, with its founder saying it was 'difficult to survive' under current economic conditions. An automated message on the company's website reads: 'After 20 amazing years, Ping Pong is closing its doors. 'Thank you for all the memories, the laughs, and the love. 'It's been a truly delicious journey'. The restaurant's founder Kurt Zdesar, who left the group in 2007 and went on to launch the Chotto Matte chain, told Time Out: 'The UK has become increasingly difficult to survive this current economical environment. Very sad news.' Companies House records show holding company Ping Pong Ltd had administrators appointed in November 2022, just two months after the group had reported a £344,000 pre-tax profit for the 12 months to 27 March of that year. Ping Pong was sold to AJT Dimsum as part of the 'pre-pack' administration process, with its six restaurants and staff to transferred to the new owner. At the time, Ping Pong said it the pandemic had left it with crippling debts owed to landlords it would not be able to pay despite returning to a profit. The administration has seen two 12-month extensions to be completed and administrators at Begbies Traynor said in June a further extension 'may be required'.
Time Out
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out
London Chinese restaurant chain Ping Pong has shut all its branches with immediate effect
After 20 years, dim sum chain Ping Pong is no more. The Chinese restaurant group – which once had 12 locations across London – opened in 2005. The company announced news of its closure over instagram, writing: 'It's a wrap. After 20 unforgettable years, all Ping Pong locations are now permanently closed. We're incredibly proud of what we built, an independent hospitality brand full of creativity, flavour, and soul.' Ping Pong fans were aghast at the closure, expressing their deep sorrow at the post. 'Noooooo. You were the best dim sum. Where am I going to get the veggie buns and sticky rice from?!', wrote one. 'This is incredibly sad news! Wish we'd have known. Would've loved to visit it one last time,' said another. The restaurant's founder Kurt Zdesar, who left the group in 2007 and went on to launch the Chotto Matte chain, commented: 'The UK has become increasingly difficult to survive this current economical environment. Very sad news.' At the time of its closure, there were four London branches of Ping Pong left; in Soho, Southbank, Bow Bells House and St Christopher's Place.
CairoScene
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Eid Lunch Goes Nikkei at Chotto Matte Riyadh
Chotto Matte Riyadh marks Eid Al-Adha with a four-course Nikkei lunch, live entertainment, and themed décor, running daily from 12 to 4 PM. Chotto Matte is offering a limited-time four-course lunch to coincide with Eid Al-Adha, combining Japanese-Peruvian flavours with themed décor and live performances in Riyadh's KAFD. Available from the first day of Eid, the midday menu will be accompanied by DJ sets, laser shows, and percussion performances. The space will also feature seasonal décor, a dedicated photography area, and printed keepsakes provided by a professional photographer. Two private dining rooms are available for those marking personal milestones such as birthdays or graduations. The set menu incorporates ingredients associated with Eid, interpreted through Chotto Matte's Nikkei culinary style. The offering begins with a Chotto Summer Salad, followed by a selection of three starters: Short Rib Tostada, Wagyu Foie Gras Maki, and a Wagyu Beef Spring Roll. The centrepiece of the meal is a Miso Lamb Shank, slow-cooked and served with truffle sticky rice—a contemporary homage to Eid's culinary traditions. The meal concludes with a Sticky Date Pudding served warm with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce. The menu is served daily from 12 PM to 4 PM throughout Eid and is priced at 199 SAR per person.
CairoScene
26-04-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Chotto Matte Launches Nikkei-Inspired Lunch Menu in Riyadh
From crispy squid to truffled mushroom rice, this weekday lunch packs Japanese-Peruvian flavour into three curated courses. Chotto Matte, a Nikkei dining spot in Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District, has just launched a new daily lunch menu that blends Japanese precision with the bold, citrusy flair of Peruvian cuisine. Served from 12 PM to 4 PM every day, the SAR 155 set menu offers three courses and a lineup of fusion-forward dishes designed for midday indulgence. The menu opens with a choice of starters, from simple, sea-salt-sprinkled Classic Edamame to a fiery twist with Dressed Edamame tossed in teriyaki and chilli, or a warm serving of traditional Miso Soup. Appetisers dive deeper into the Nikkei playbook: Sea Bass Ceviche cured in a punchy leche de tigre, Crispy Squid Tempura with anticucho emulsion, and Yasai Miso Crispy Sushi bring texture and heat, while a Wedge Salad gets an umami lift from its lemon queso dressing. Main courses don't hold back either. There's the Nasu Miso, a standout aubergine dish glazed in miso and topped with apricot, puffed quinoa and sesame; Asado De Tira, featuring slow-cooked beef short rib with purple potato purée; Black Angus Fillet in a spicy soy caramel glaze; and a vegetarian-friendly Truffled Mushroom Rice finished with Japanese mushrooms and egg yolk. The finale? Warm Cinnamon Churros served with Dulce de Leche and chocolate hazelnut sauce—an unmistakable nod to South America's dessert scene, with a luxe twist.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Restaurant chains flee broke Britain for America
British restaurants are targeting the US as Labour prepares to hammer them with higher taxes at home. The Ivy and upmarket Indian restaurant Dishoom are both preparing to expand in the US, while Pizza Express is also planning a second crack at the American market starting in Florida this year. The restaurants follow other chains including Hawksmoor, Pret A Manger and Wagamama, all of which have opened outposts in New York. It comes as the cost of running restaurants across the UK soars. Employers will be forced to make higher National Insurance (NI) contributions from next week while a 6.7pc rise in the minimum wage is adding to pressures. Smaller restaurants will also see business rates relief slashed. Hospitality chiefs have complained that the tax changes will disproportionately hit their industry. Greg Johnson, leisure industry analyst at Shore Capital, said the increased tax burden meant 'the balance has probably shifted' for some successful groups to encourage investment into the US rather than Britain. 'Throwing money into the UK is probably risky under this Government,' he said. Kurt Zdesar, the owner of Japanese Peruvian restaurant group Chotto Matte, said: 'No one has got disposable incomes any more, because of the cost of living going up the way it does and salaries don't keep up with the inflation. 'In America the service industry is thriving – my waiters can earn between $150,000 [£115,879] and $200,000 a year because of the service charge.' Chotto Matte has sites in Miami and San Franciso as well as London, Manchester and the Middle East. Pizza Express is attempting to crack the US after a first attempt in 2000 failed to get off the ground. Ben Lawrence, head of franchise growth at the chain, said: 'Assuming that Florida goes well, it's a very good test for us to demonstrate to the rest of the US how we do show up there. There's probably no actual state that I could think of that we wouldn't enter.' Other British restaurant groups currently launching or expanding in the US include Big Mamma Group, which owns a handful of upmarket Italian restaurants in London, and JKS, the parent company of Gymkhana, which has two Michelin stars. While cracking the US can be costly and complicated, it can be hugely lucrative. Mr Zdesar said: 'In America there's a lot of red tape, and there's lots of hoops to jump through, but when you get through all of that hardship it can be extremely profitable. 'Restaurants in America, the top ones in the right locations, can earn anywhere between $20m and $50m a year. You just don't see restaurants do that in the UK. You can make more money. The taxes are better.' Mr Zdesar added: 'My learning is stay away from the blue states and go only to the red, because those areas are designed to do business. You go to Texas and Dallas, these places don't only thrive. They make way better margins.' One senior restaurant industry source added: 'If you get it right, the amount of revenue you can generate is extraordinary.' The Treasury was approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Sign in to access your portfolio
