Look on the bright side. September may mark the start of autumn but at least it means we’re one step closer to being able to wear our new Shearling.

September also marks the opening of the fifth branch of cool Vietnamese chain Pho in Soho’s Wardour Street.

The company, founded by Stephen and Juliette Wall, back in 2005 has also just hired Tim Mills as its head of operations.

The former executive of pâtisserie chain, Paul, is set to help grow the business to a whopping 20 strong chain over the next five years – both in London and further afield.

“We are approaching a crossroads in Pho’s growth,” Stephen told Caterer Search. “We are assessing the way forward … and how best we are going to achieve that in terms of backers and funding. So we have got some big decisions over the next couple of months.”

The original Clerkenwall branch was followed by outlets in Great Titchfield Street, Shepherd’s Bush and sunny Brighton.

The new site will have seating for 60 diners.

Pho is backed by gastropub entrepreneurs, Tom and Ed Martin, behind venues such as Chelsea’s The Botanist and The Cadogan Arms, The Gun in Docklands and The Empress of Indian in Victoria Park.

www.phocafe.co.uk

According to reports Kate Moss is set to end her lucrative four-year relationship with Sir Philip Green’s fashion retailer, Topshop, with a final launch in October. The company confirmed that the supermodel’s autumn/winter collection, her 14th, would be her last.

However, she may design a number of one-off “capsule” ranges in the future, a spokesman for Arcadia, the owner of the high-street store, said. Sources say the split was amicable, after a relationship that culminated in Moss’s presence alongside Sir Philip at the opening of Topshop’s flagship US store in New York in April last year, reports the Telegraph.

Apparently the range has ended as Kate Moss was un able to spend the large amounts of time that were required on the fashion label,  as there were other areas that she still wanted to pursue.

Who says that expensive shoes aren’t a good investment?

Mews of Mayfair is teaming up with Piper Heidsieck Champagne and Christian Louboutin during London Fashion Week (17th-22nd September). Anyone dining at the restaurant who also happens to be wearing a pair of Louboutins, will receive a free glass of Piper Heidsieck fizz.

Now, while you don’t have to be female to take advantage of this fashionable offer (those studded slip ons for guys really rock – albeit in a euro trash kind of a way), said shoe candy DOES have to be real.

We’re sure that Mews’ stylish staff can tell a high street rip-off at 100 paces – there’s a whole lot more to a pair of Louboutins than just a couple of red soles!

You have been warned…

Mews is situated at 10-11 Lancashire Court (just behind Bond Street). The restaurant, bar and gallery also has al fresco seating for 50 in Lancashire Court.

www.mewsofmayfair.com

With The Savoy Grill due to reopen in October, even Ramsay’s rivals are getting uber excited about the goings on at the all new Hotel.

Tom Aikens has been tweeting repeatedly during an insider tour of the venue. Apparently there’s to be a special chocolate room off the grand lobby both making and selling divine cocoa morsels.

So enamoured is Aikens that he’s also uploading twit pix like it’s going out of fashion.

But while some of us might salivate over the restored marble atrium replete with colonnades, it’s the kitchens that have really got him going.

“More pics of inside savoy and kitchens !!! Totally jealous outrage” he says of Stuart Gillies new domain.

Expectant diners will have to wait a few weeks yet to see if all that brushed steel lives up to expectation but news of traditional classics of foie gras with spiced quince, lobster thermidor, beef wellington and peach melba (famously invented here by Escoffier) has certainly whetted our appetites.

Good news for those shoe lovers, from September Berties will be opening on South Molton Street and in Covent Garden.  A dedicated team of designers have revitalised & refreshed the brand. The new collection features an edgy urban look with distressed leathers, stacked heels and cleated soles. The celebrated wedged brogue and creped sole hiking boot are contemporised through the strong universal trend of androgyny.

The new concept store is an eclectic mix of metropolitan style within the framework of an East End loft apartment. Features include a denim wall, show lace chandelier and wrapped leather cash desk .