Ramsay's 'London NYC' to close

Gordon Ramsay's New York City restaurant the London hotel is closing. The news comes just one year after it was stripped of its two Michelin stars.

After opening in 2006, Gordon Ramsay at the London immediately picked up the two Michelin stars in the following year's Guide to New York. Yet, after Ramsay sold his financial stake to the restaurant in 2009, it was stripped of both stars in 2013.

The closure comes as a trend for New York diners to favour a less formal eating out experience. In fact, Ramsay is just the latest in a line of European chefs, including Joel Robuchon and Alain Ducasse, to see his formal fine dining concept close in New York.

"We're closing fully to reflect the more casual dining style preferred by the guests.” Amanda Duff, spokesperson for the restaurant said, “They really are demanding more of a casual dining scene."

The restaurant famously serves one of New York's most expensive three-course menus at $115 but its reputation has suffered, seemingly beyond repair, after losing the two Michelin stars. Ramsay told the Swedish talk show Skavlan that he "started crying" upon hearing the news of Michelin’s decision.

"We are heavily involved with all our restaurants and partners around the world with the exception of the London, who unfortunately rarely co-operate or communicate with us", said Jo Livingston, Brand & Communications Director at Gordon Ramsay Group. “It’s disappointing that they have taken this decision but we believe the dining experience they’ve been offering lately has not been the standard expected by us or our customers when they dine at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.? As always, the door remains open for them to engage with us in a meaningful way.”

The expensive New York hotel restaurant, never fully embraced by local critics, will hold its last dinner service on Saturday October 11th.