City Social has appointed former director of restaurants at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Mark Hastings as general manager.
Hastings is one of the industry’s best known GMs, with a CV that includes top front of house roles at Gordon Ramsay Group and Hakkasan Group.
The appointment follows the departure of Tim Smith, who was general manager at Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred City of London restaurant for just under three years.
Hastings first crossed paths with Atherton when he helped Angela Hartnett launch an eponymous restaurants at The Connaught.
“I’m incredibly proud to join the team at City Social, to help redefine the business to ensure we continue to be recognised as a unique restaurant and bar offering within London and oversees,” says Hastings on his appointment.
Bob Bob Ricard
Credit: Paul Winch-Furness
Hospitality has been one of the industries hit hardest by coronavirus restrictions, but restaurants are finally gearing up for reopening. After a year of home deliveries and meal kits, ‘makeaways’ and pre-made cocktails – plus a brief four months of adjusting to the new normal – how will luxury dining look post lockdown? Here, Michelin-starred chefs and restaurateurs give an advance taste of what we’ve been missing.
Luxury on a plate
“People want to get dressed up and experience the very best that life has to offer,” says Ollie Dabbous, chef patron of Hide on Piccadilly. “They are going to prioritise eating out over other less experiential luxuries and will want a more premium experience.”