KETTNERS' HISTORY
Kettners is one of London’s oldest and most famous restaurants. Founded in 1867 by Auguste Kettner, a former chef to Emperor Napoleon III (the last monarch to rule France who lived in Britain until the 1848 revolution), this landmark has hosted many meals for famous guests including; Oscar Wilde, King Edward VII, Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby, Agatha Christie, Boy George, Kenneth Brannagh, Hugh Laurie and Johnny Depp, to name but a few. For many years Kettners was owned and run by Mr Peter Boizot, the founder of PizzaExpress until he sold it to the PizzaExpress Group in spring 2002.
Kettners has expanded considerably particularly in recent years, gradually occupying the vast Baroque building that was formerly a hotel. There are now five banqueting suites varying in size from the Soho Room which seats up to 12 people to the Oak Room, which seats 80. All are available for private hire: celebration dinners, cocktail parties, business meetings, conferences and product launches.
Several of our suites have interesting historical backgrounds. In the basement can be found signs of an underground tunnel, which is said to have given access between Kettners and the Palace Theatre just opposite. Edward VII was said to entertain an actress friend – Lily Langtree – who was playing a leading role at the Theatre.
SOHO! THERE GOES THE FOX!
Kettners is located right in the heart of Central London, in Soho a place rich in its own history. The area was grazing farmland until 1536, when it was taken by Henry VIII as a royal park for the Palace of Whitehall. The name Soho first appears in the 17th century. Most authorities believe that it derives from the old 'soho!' hunting call (Soho! There goes the fox!). Some have suggested a link with the Duke of Monmouth, who used ‘soho’ as a rallying call for his men at the Battle of Sedgemoor. An alternative proposal is that the name is derived from a shortening of Somerset House, a grand palace to be found to the south of the Strand, built in 1547.
Soho has for well over 30 years epitomised the spirit of cool London. It fits neatly into an area bordered by Oxford Street in the north, Shaftesbury Avenue in the south, Regents Street in the west and Charing Cross Road in the east. The busiest area is around Wardour Street and the 3 parallel streets further east (Dean Street, Frith Street and Greek Street).
This compact neighbourhood in the middle of the city is lively, busy both by day and by night, with a plethora of shops, restaurants and theatre; you will never be lost for something to do. Soho is a fitting location for our distinguished restaurant.