Kettner’s re-born
In 2018, Kettner’s, London’s oldest fine French restaurant and beloved jewel of Soho, re-opened after an extensive refurbishment, under the new management of Soho House. Dating back to 1867, Kettner’s has had a rich and colourful past, playing host to the great and the good of society: kings (and their mistresses), showmen, soldiers, and one particularly famous author whose ‘Wilde’ nights in the upstairs chambers eventually brought Kettner’s to the attention of the Old Bailey. This project was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to draw on history to bring a sleeping beauty back to life.
“For Kettner’s in the “good old days” was rather naughty little place, and one has a deep affection for it primarily for that reason. It is rather a naughty place today – in a thoroughly nice way”
— EP Leigh-Bennett, The Bystander, 1927
Kettner’s Book of Tales
To mark the opening, I worked closely with local historians to research the rich history of the restaurant and create a hardback book of short stories for bedtime reading, with writer Kate Finnigan. The book is peppered with historical photographs and illustrations, including the beautiful cover artwork by legendary cartoonist Fougasse (C.K. Bird), which dates from 1945
‘Supper at Kettner’s’ from The Sketch, 27 January, 1926
The ‘Banqueting Room at Kettner’s’, now the Jacobean Suite (above) The Illustrated London News, 7 August 1926
The earliest known photograph of Kettner’s in 1889 by permission of Historic England Archive
“My dear Aubrey. I am charmed to find you are in town. Will you join Bobbie and me at dinner tonight at Kettner's at 7.30? We are not going to dress. Ever yours, Oscar” – Oscar Wilde to Aubrey Beardsley, 1883
Teasing the opening
Ahead of the grand re-opening, we created an illustrated booklet based on a historical piece we found in the Kettner’s archive, to give members a snapshot of the history of the restaurant and entice them back through the doors.
