Hotels and dining out (other than the usual clubs)
Stratford Canning
For those not fortunate enough to have a home in town (or have friends or family to stay with), there were hotels which could serve as a home base. If we’re talking Regencies, though, don’t put your heroines in a hotel. Please. We’ll discuss that later, in 50 Ways to Ruin Your Reputation.
Even those who did live in London would eat at a hotel or restaurant, rather than at home or the usual clubs (yawn). A few of the best known were the Clarendon, Limmer’s, Ibbetson’s, Fladong’s, Steven’s, and Grillion’s.
The Clarendon had a French chef who served (one assumes) authentic French meals for around three pounds. At the Clarendon, a bottle of genuine French champagne cost a guinea in 1814.
Limmer’s was dark and dirty, but a bastion for the horse-crazy sporting set. It was usually crowded, if not packed, and served plain English food, famously good gin punch, and port.
Ibbetson’s was a sanctuary for clergymen and university students.
Fladong’s[1] was located in Oxford Street and served as a base for naval officers. Read this chapter of Rodney Stone by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for a description of the great coffee-room, or even better, the 1817 novel Three weeks at Fladong’s, by a late visitant.[2]
Stephen’s, in Bond Street, was popular for army officers and fashionable bucks. Strangers who tried to eat in their dining room would be turned away by servants, who would tell them there were no available tables. During the Regency the food at Stephen’s was plain: meat and boiled or fried fish. Early Atkins?
Grillion’s is where the dining club founded by Stratford Canning in 1812 met. (Later, the club met at the Hotel Cecil.)
Also, did anyone else think Stratford Canning was hot, or is that just me? I’d never looked at his picture before.
8 Responses to “Hotels and dining out (other than the usual clubs)”
Does Gunter’s count? More of a place for a small afternoon treat, but it seems to have been popular. Of the dining spots mentioned, which could a lady who valued her reputation dine at? Who was an acceptable dining companion or what sort of party was proper?
The more I learn, the more curious I get. Must be a familiar feeling.
Gunter’s went back a loooooong way, and you’re right — it was a place ladies went, and in theory it was a place ladies could go with a man they were not related or married to.
The tradition was to eat ices outside (disclaimer: I am not certain of the date this started; if anyone has a source, I’d love to hear it). The fashionable place would be parked across the street and on the other side of Berkeley Square, under the trees — if women were in barouches, they’d eat inside the barouche (or whatever sort of conveyance), the waiters crossing the street to serve them, while men would stand about outside, kind of eating with them, kind of not.
But…the middle class was stodgier, the same way it is now. Would a vicar’s daughter or a solicitor’s daughter be allowed without an escort? Would it be permissible to be seen eating in public, even in a barouche? Those are debatable — places for parents and daughters to clash. And eating in public was another issue. (Even until the 20th century — my grandmother always thought it was gauche to be seen eating in public.)
Gunter’s was also well known for catering (not just wedding cakes) and catered for many big Mayfair events; most families had a running tab. They were known for their Honduran turtle soup. Um…yum?
Source: Colby, Reginald. Mayfair: A Town Within London. (Barnes, 1966). (And my brain, which is less reliable, the later it gets.)
No. Gunter’s began life as a tea shop then became famous for it’s ice cream. It was a popular spot for ladies to drink tea and eat ice cream.
I’m not sure which part you’re saying no to. Gunter’s was founded in 1757, and was originally a confectioner’s and caterer.
You are so not alone in thinking Stratford Canning is hot. If I were casting him, I’d pick Tahmoh Penikett.
Awesome post and thanks for the links for further research for Fladong’s (heh, no you are not the only one to giggle). I was wondering, was there any sort of Royal Navy Officer club in London or Portsmouth?
I couldn’t help thinking Stratford Canning reminds me a bit of Bruce Jenner! Ha! Too much reality television for me.
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