About Kettner’s Townhouse
One of the first French restaurants , when it first was opened on 1867. Since then, the Kettner was the go-to spot for politicians, writers as well as theatre patrons, and even members of the Royal family for many generations. Today, it’s reimagined as a 33-room hotel, with Bars that are listed as Grade II Kettner’s distinctive legacy is still in use.
History of Kettner’s Townhouse
Kettner’s inaugurated on 1867, by August Kettner, a German chef believed to be direct hired in the hands of Napoleon III. The restaurant was situated in Soho with a reputation that was not very good in the time it was believed to be a solitary existence until an 1879 piece that appeared by The Times extolled the virtues of Kettner’s cuisine, thereby reversing the public’s support.
It was however the visit by his father, Prince of Wales, Albert Edward – later King Edward VII – around 1890 which really started to attract the attention of the masses. Edward is believed to have brought his mistress Lillie Langtry and her husband to the Kettner’s. Rumours suggest that there was a tunnel hidden from view that linked to the restaurant and the Palace Theatre where Langtry performed for intermission, in order to facilitate rendezvous with her.
Since then, Kettner’s earned an unpopular reputation as a good place to enjoy a night out. Oscar Wilde was not only frequent, but was such a fan of Kettner’s, it was thought to be his preferred venue of preference. Other famous patrons of Kettner’s were Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie, Bing Crosby as well as Margaret Thatcher.
Today, Kettner’s Townhouse is open.
Kettner’s famously served 28 years working as an Pizza Express between 1980 and in 2008. The restaurant is now under the care by the Soho House group, the townhouse, renamed Kettner’s Townhouse, has been meticulously restored, featuring its original French menu included, and art inspired by the lost murals discovered in the process of renovation.
Three townhouses have been added to the initial four rooms, the hotel is now home to bars with a Grade II listing, as well as one suite that has its own entrance. The Champagne Bar is the only part that is now accessible to guests staying at this iconic London hotel, and taking in its appealing appeal is definitely money well spent.
Getting to Kettner’s Townhouse
The property is located in the heart of Soho the Townhouse of Kettner’s is within five minutes between Piccadilly Circus as well as Tottenham Court Road tube stations and only three minutes away from Leicester Square.
