Gordon Ramsay is set to open his first New York restaurant in September 2006 at the Rihga Royal Hotel.

The hotel – owned by the New York-based private equity firm The Blackstone Group – is currently undergoing a US$50m (£26.2m, 38.8m euro) refurbishment under the direction of Irish designer David Collins. It will reopen as The London NY.

The 80-seat restaurant will feature an open kitchen run by head chef Neil Ferguson, who has previously worked at La Tante Claire, The Square, Aubergine, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Angela Hartnett at The Connaught in London as well as L’Esperance and L’Arpège in France.

Jean-Baptiste Requien from Ramsay’s Claridge’s restaurant will manage the new outlet. Details: www.gordonramsay.com