L'Ortolan - what happened?

L'Ortolan - Michelin Star Resturant

The site of a popular restaurant in Shinfield that closed after 38 years in business has gone on the market as a going concern - with an asking price of £1.25 million.

L'Ortolan, in Church Lane, Shinfield, was shut down in August this year.

It had been operated by a series of Michelin-starred chefs since opening in 1984,

Now the Grade II listed venue is on the market with an advertisement calling it a "rare opportunity" to take on the 80 cover restaurant.

According to advertising estate agent Savills, trading accounts show that the restaurant had been "consistently" generating a net turnover around £1.5 million.

A representative from the estate agents said: "the opportunity exists to acquire the freehold going concern in this award winning restaurant, whom have been trading from the venue for over 20 years.

"The restaurant operates as a high end destination premises, having secured many accolades and is one of Reading's only fine dining

restaurant, with modern French cuisine.

"Internally the property provides an 80 cover restaurant decorated to a high specification arranged over two floors with various private dining areas and a demo studio.

"Externally there is a large patio terrace abutting the restaurant, mature gardens and two gravel laid car parks providing parking for approximately 40 vehicles."

The advertisement also lists that there is a separate detached annexe which is used as an office.

In June, an application to Woking Borough Council was submitted to turn the building into office space was put forward by Mr Nick Phillips. The decision was made to allow this change in usage on July 23, 2024.

L'Ortolan was a gourmet restaurant in the village of Shinfield, 6 km (4 mi) south of the centre of Reading, Berkshire, England. The restaurant closed its doors for the final time in August 2024. it was located in the village's old vicarage building, which is a Grade-II listed building dating back to the 1840s. Originally a three-story structure, the building endured substantial fire damage during World War II, resulting in the loss of its top floor.

The building was first opened as a restaurant by chef Richard Sandford in 1978, when it was known as Milton Sandford, winning a Michelin star in 1982. It was then purchased by Nico Ladenis, who left the restaurant he renamed as Chez Nico, less than a year later in 1986. A few months later, John Burton-Race opened the restaurant, calling it L'Ortolan.

Run by John Burton-Race for 13 years, the restaurant was purchased by Peter Newman in 2000, who appointed Alan Murchison as head chef.

Murchison left the restaurant in 2003, and Daniel Galmiche took over for a year. Alan Murchison returned in 2004 as executive head chef with the option to buy the restaurant. Murchison left in 2014, and Peter Newman took over the running of the restaurant. James Greatorex took over as head chef in 2020, serving till June 2024, when Jamie Pierce was appointed in the position. However, the restaurant announced its closure just a month after Pierce's appointment, and closed its doors for good in August 2024.

The restaurant had held a Michelin star from 2003 until 2022 when the award was rescinded, and had three AA rosettes in 2023.