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Iconic London Restaurant Le Caprice Is Making A Comeback

Jeremy King is reopening the star-studded restaurant that made him famous

Le Caprice stood as one of the capital’s most famous and beloved restaurants for almost 40 years. Helmed by culinary duo Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, the West End stalwart was a hotspot for Hollywood stars and royals alike – Princess Diana was a regular, and it was a favourite of Mick Jagger. In 2020, fans were sad to discover it was closing – but now, in an exciting twist, the restaurant is returning under a new guise.

Iconic London Restaurant Le Caprice Is Making A Comeback

The restaurant is being helmed by King, who announced the news via an email to his his mailing list, writing: ‘I am delighted to tell you that I have just signed a lease for the site and the legendary Jesus Adorno will be joining me as we aim to recreate a restaurant that for many of our customers, over the years, was the one they professed their greatest love for.’

He described the venture as ‘a new version, but I hope you will find it reassuringly familiar in how it looks, and what we serve.’

Jesus Adorno

Jesus Adorno

Le Caprice will reopen at its former home on 20 Arlington Street in St James’s. It has been reported that King plans to revive the venue in 2024, most likely under a new name. The aforementioned Adorno, who was maitre d’ at Le Caprice for many years, will be returning – and it’s thought signature dishes like the crispy duck salad and salmon fishcakes will be back, too.

Le Caprice was first opened back in the late ’40s by The Ivy’s former maitre d’ Mario Gallati. It changed hands a few times over the years and, in 1981, it was taken over by Corbin and King – the restaurant masters behind renowned restaurants like The Wolseley and Brasserie Zedel. The pair were credited with restoring the restaurant to its heyday glory, visited by everyone from Joan Collins to Kate Moss and Elizabeth Hurley.

Le Caprice Cured Salmon on Buckwheat Pancakes by Jean Cazals

Food at Le Caprice

Reminiscing on when he first started working there, Adorno told us: ‘Everything was so beautiful. We were also the first restaurant that opened until midnight. After 11pm, all the actors would come in and the whole restaurant would get up and give them a round of applause.’

He tells us Princess Diana visited regularly – always sitting at the same table, number seven. ‘When Princess Diana wasn’t there, that corner table was asked for by everyone that thought they had the right to sit there.’

Stay tuned for more details.