Middle East Buys Major Stake in Malarkey Restaurants

On the heels of news that Enlightened Hospitality Group was sloughing off its lower-performing locations, including Point Loma's Gabardine and their Searsucker in Scottsdale, comes word that the local hospitality group has sold the majority stake in their brand to an Abu Dhabi-based investment company. Our friends at Eater LA did some rumormongering about the sale last month.

The purchase also includes Stingaree, EHGRP's Gaslamp nightclub, and their catering company, Campine.

According to a press release, Hakkasan Ltd. operates Asian restaurant concepts all over the world, including Miami, London, Dubai, and the recently-opened Hakkasan in Las Vegas' MGM Grand Hotel & Casino; the restaurant and nightlife group will operate all EHGRP entities in a "strategic partnership with the original development team."

Chef-partner Brian Malarkey is scheduled to open a new iteration of their Herringbone concept in Los Angeles on Thursday.

In a statement, EHGRP CEO James Brennan says, "The partnership between Enlightened Hospitality Group and Hakkasan Ltd. is the ideal culmination of more than a decade long career in the hospitality industry for me, and most certainly marks a personal high. My experience with the Hakkasan team has been nothing but first class, and I look forward to helping to build a major international hospitality company,"
· Enlightened Hospitality Group [Official Site]
·All Enlightened Hospitality Group Coverage on Eater [~ESD~]