Renowned as a favourite among royalty, celebrities, and London’s elite, Quaglino’s, an iconic art-deco restaurant and live music venue in Mayfair, celebrated 95 years. Since opening its doors in 1929 by Giovanni Quaglino, the restaurant emerged when London was flourishing with jazz, luxury cars, and socialites, shedding its traditional past towards a modern and glamorous ethos.
Over the years, Quaglino’s has built a remarkable legacy, hosting illustrious patrons including the Mountbattens, Evelyn Waugh, and the late Queen Elizabeth II, who made history as the first reigning monarch to dine in a public restaurant. Legendary entertainer Leslie “Hutch” Hutchinson mesmerised audiences on stage, while romance novelist Barbara Cartland made headlines after finding a pearl in an oyster served at the restaurant. The allure of Quaglino’s continues, drawing esteemed visitors such as Naomi Campbell and Benedict Cumberbatch, solidifying its status as a gathering place for royalty and celebrities.
From a nostalgic one-night 1930s-inspired menu to a new cocktail selection featuring Quaglino’s favourites over the years, and exclusive performances, the night will celebrate the restaurant’s storied past, reviving many of its traditions.
Giovanni Quaglino’s Recipes: The Complete Hostess
A restaurateur from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy, Giovanni Quaglino was an exceptionally gifted waiter. At the mere age of 17, he had already become maître d’hôtel at the grand Martinez Hotel in Cannes. Later, he came to England and worked at The Savoy, further expanding his knowledge and expertise in fine dining. Eventually, with a wealth of experience and insight, Giovanni opened his own restaurant and wrote The Complete Hostess, featuring some of his top recipes.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, Chef Jack Smith prepared a special one-night only menu showcasing Quaglino’s most beloved dishes from the book, enjoyed by its loyal patrons over the years. Earthy, aromatic, and indulgent, the Flan Chez Quaglino is a wild mushroom and black truffle pithivier—a classic French puff pastry pie. Flaky and golden, it comes with a rich cep jus, elevating the dish with its deep, umami flavours. If you come for the late sitting, you may also have the Cornet de Saumon Fume Au Caviare, including smoked salmon, Golden Ocietra Caviar, shallots, and lemon—a lavish and exquisite starter.
For the main dish, you’ll be treated to the Entrecôte Bordelaise, a magnificent 40-day aged ribeye, paired with luscious bone marrow and a bold red wine and shallot jus, elevating the meat’s rich flavour and succulence. As for dessert, Quaglino will delight you with the Gateau St Honore—profiteroles filled with praline chiboust cream and vanilla.
Priced at £60 for the early sitting, you can elevate your night at £140 to have the caviar and a glass of bubbles!
Back to Origins Cocktail Menu
Curated by Quaglino’s bar manager Ivan Gutu, you’ll also be the first to sample the restaurant’s brand new cocktail menu Back to Origins, showcasing favourites from across the decades.
Fruity, fresh, and slightly sweet, St James mixes No.3 Dry Gin with floral Lillet Aperitif Wine and herbal Strega Liqueur. A touch of Crème de Cassis adds a luscious berry note, while chamomile and raspberry cordial bring a gentle sweetness. Topped with ginger ale, this cocktail will surely impress you. Another Quaglino icon is Fig Royale, made from Remy Martin 1738 Acord Royal Cognac, Crème De Fig, Plum & Fig Cordial, as well as Champagne—this one is sweeter and stands out for its mellowness and sparkling bubbles.
Stronger, and more aromatic, Golden Hands features Pure Scott Signature 106 Whisky, infused with Muyu Jasmine Verte Liqueur. To elevate the mix, there’s lychee and jasmine tea syrup, complemented by a dash of orange-cherry and whiskey barrel bitters. Non-alcoholic options include Mountain Breeze—a fresh and fruity cocktail from Everleaf Mountain, Cranberry & Pomegranate Cordial, lime juice, and lychee-jasmine tea syrup. Grassy and sweet, Amazonas Joy combines Caleno Dark & Spicy with raspberry and chamomile cordial, lime juice, pandan syrup, and Fever Tree ginger ale.
Quaglino’s Famous Traditions are Back
An icon for popularising modern design in the UK, Terence Conran initially designed Quaglino’s distinctive Q-shaped ashtrays which quickly became a sought after trophy. In fact, in just one year, 18,000 of the ashtrays were stolen, with The Independent reporting that the pieces became among London’s most theft-prone items in a 1995 article. For the anniversary dinner, the ashtrays will come back, but this time in chocolate form—even better, no?
Another beloved tradition was Quaglino’s famous Cigarette Girl Service, where elegantly dressed attendants circulated the dining room offering cigarettes and accessories to patrons. However, with the introduction of the 2007 indoor smoking ban, this time you’ll have ‘Caviar Girls’ touring the restaurant, selling a selection of the finest caviars on lavish trays.
Quaglino’s Performances
As London shined with the British Jazz and Blues scene of the 30s, so did Quaglino. To continue the legacy, the restaurant will host live performances from several talented musicians for the anniversary dinner and beyond. Among them is Okiem, a pianist and composer whose music has been described as “cinematic classical.” His compositions, all original, blend piano, orchestral instruments, and synthesisers. Okiem has toured with some of the biggest artists of the music industry such as Leona Lewis, Tinie Tempah, John Legend, and Prince. Joining him will be the Infinity Orchestra and The Fellas, ensuring an unforgettable musical experience to elevate the anniversary celebration—be ready to party!
Bookings can be made through Quaglino’s website here.
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All imagery courtesy of Quaglino’s.