Quaglino’s, the legendary restaurant and live music venue in Mayfair, is celebrating its 95th anniversary this October. Since its grand opening in 1929 by Giovanni Quaglino, the venue has brought a world of timeless elegance and sophistication to the London restaurant scene and has remained synonymous with style and glamour ever since.
Known as a favourite haunt of royalty, celebrities, and London’s elite, Quaglino’s will honour its rich heritage with a lavish celebration on Wednesday 2nd October, paying tribute to its storied past and glamorous origins. Throughout this anniversary season, Quaglino’s promises a spectacular journey through the restaurant’s iconic history and timeless allure.
A classic 1930s menu, for one night only
On 2nd October, Executive Chef Jack Smith will serve a menu that revives recipes written by Giovanni Quaglino in his 1937 book The Complete Hostess, including dishes ‘Flan Chaz Quaglino’, a wild mushroom and black truffle Pithivier with cep jus, ‘Entrecôte Bordelaise’ a 40-day aged rib eye, with bone marrow, red wine & shallot jus and ‘Gateau St Honore’ featuring Profiteroles, praline chiboust, and vanilla.
Guests will also be the first to sample a brand-new celebratory cocktail menu, created by Quaglino’s Bar Manager Ivan Gutu. The new menu will feature a selection of guest favourites throughout the decades, including the St James and Fig Royale, and be available throughout the anniversary season.
Reviving famous tradition
Back in the day, stolen Quaglino’s ashtrays became trophies, and their roaming cigarette girls were minor celebrities. On 2nd October, such traditions will be reimagined….
In 1995, The Independent reported that Quaglino’s ‘Q’ shaped ashtrays were one of the most sought-after and theft-prone items in London. Designed by Terence Conran himself, they were placed on each dining table. In just one year, 18,000 were reportedly stolen, and by the time the restaurant was 10 years old, more than 25,000 of the Q ashtrays had gone “missing”. The ashtrays will come back in the format of a showstopper dessert so delicious that their disappearance is to be expected on the night!
The famous Quaglino’s Cigarette Girl service, which was banned following the 2007 smoking ban, will also be back under a different guise. ‘Caviar Girls’ will instead tour the dining room throughout the night, and on selected dates throughout the anniversary season, to sell a selection of fine caviar on lavish trays to guests.
Performances fit for royalty
Celebrations in the restaurant are hallmarked by line ups of incredible musical talent and its 95th anniversary won’t be any different. Okiem and the Infinity Orchestra will take to the stage in the early evening, setting a perfect tone for the night. They will be shortly followed by an electrifying performance from guest favourite’s The Fellas to keep the celebration in full swing until late.
Iconic visits throughout the decades
Quaglino’s has gained recognition as one of the most iconic restaurants to see and be seen. Over the years, British royals including Princess Margaret and Prince Harry have taken a regular seat at the late night dining spot. Princess Diana used to sneak through the kitchen to dine without paparazzi spotting her and Queen Elizabeth II, made history as the first reigning monarch to dine at a public restaurant when she visited Quaglino’s.
Celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Elton John and Judy Garland have also been known to visit for everything from their personal wedding receptions to film premieres and after-parties. The legendary entertainer Leslie “Hutch” Hutchinson graced the stage with his mesmerising performances, while romantic novelist Barbara Cartland famously discovered a pearl in an oyster served at the restaurant. Quaglino’s remains a magnet to this day for royalty, celebrities and dignitaries alike.
Guests will be transported back to Quaglino’s origins to make their own glamorous histories on Wednesday 2nd October. Early bookings can be made from 5.30 – 6.30pm, and regular bookings can be made from 6.45pm onwards. Visit quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk to book.
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For more information please contact:
[email protected]
Notes to Editors:
Opening Times:
Monday – Thursday: 5:30pm – 00.00am
Friday: 5:30pm – 1am
Saturday: 11:30am – 1am
Sunday: 12pm – 7pm
Website & Social
@quaglinos
To Book:
Address:
Quaglino’s