London's Putney Bridge restaurant is thought to be close to a sale after almost a year on the market.
Despite culinary acclaim, chef-proprietor Anthony Demetre wants to move his business out of the large and expensive-to-run property.
Three offers are believed to be on the table: one from a large pub company, another from a well-known restaurant operator, and a third from ex-Harvey Nichols food and retail director, Dominic Ford.
Several previous offers for the building, owned by Asda Property Holdings, have fallen through.
Ford said he could not comment on the speculation. Since leaving Harvey Nichols in April he is understood to have been working on several projects, including a consultancy business and a Japanese restaurant concept.
Knight Frank is acting for Asda.
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 22 July 2004