Ramsay's kitchen nightmare as third restaurant closes

A third Gordon Ramsay restaurant has closed in the space of little more than six months.

Michelin-starred La Noisette at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge served its final meals on Friday night after less than two years in business.

It follows the loss of the Connaught, which ended its contract with Gordon Ramsay's empire in September, and the Savoy Grill, shut for a year while the hotel is refurbished.

Industry sources said La Noisette, run by former Greenhouse chef Bjorn van der Horst, had struggled and was particularly quiet at lunchtimes.

La Noisette suffered a string of poor reviews, many of which concentrated on the brown decor and low ceilings. One described the atmosphere as "claustrophobic and gloomy" with the appearance of "a failed Seventies provincial airport".

The Kitchen Nightmare TV chef insisted the split with van der Horst was "amicable" and said the much criticised La Noisette site on Sloane Street would be kept and turned into private dining rooms. In a statement, parent company Gordon Ramsay Holdings said: " With the ever- increasing demands for private dining experiences within the Gordon Ramsay Group we are delighted to confirm La Noisette's address with its exceptional floor spaces on two levels will now be available for events throughout the year.

"This will help accommodate some of the lost private dining opportunities while The Savoy is closed for extensive refurbishment.

The closure is the third successive failure on what is becoming known as one of London's most jinxed sites.

Jamie Oliver's venture Monte's closed in 2004 to be replaced by the Ramsay backed, Asian-themed Pengelley's. That shut in December 2005 after less than a year at a cost to Gordon Ramsay Holdings of about £1 million. Richard Harden, co-founder of Harden's restaurant guides, said: "It is a poor site but if the proposition is right it should be OK. The decor is ghastly and the proportions of the room were very difficult."

Ramsay, Britain's most Michelin starred chef, has recently taken over mid-market brasserie Foxtrot Oscar in Chelsea and opened three gastropubs.

Evening Standard critic Fay Maschler gave the restaurant three stars. "Van der Horst is a chef whose cooking I already know and respect. Unfortunately, no amount of time is likely to improve the lamentable dining room," she wrote.