When The Fountain first opened its doors 60 years ago, it was the talk of London not only for being the first restaurant to bring a soda fountain over from Canada but also for its deliciously decadent knickerbocker glories.
Sadly, over the years, the eatery–which is located on the corner of Jermyn and Duke Streets– slowly deteriorated, despite its many interior updates, becoming more of a thoroughfare for visitors to Fortnum & Mason, the iconic department store it is housed in.
Now, the restaurant has been reworked once again, this time by local firm Martin Brudnizki Design Studio who have reinstated the staid interiors to its glamorous heyday. Making the most of the room’s decorative Edwardian features, the entrance’s custom-made revolving door leads to an intimate open-plan room furnished with plush rosewood tables, parquet flooring, cosy booths and a dramatic marble bar. It is however, the bold burnt orange colour – perfectly matching the Fortnum & Mason turquoise blue – that commands passers-by to take a second look.
The menu, by head chef Lee Streeton is modern London with fuss free classics from Dover sole to smoked salmon. For those feeling flush, there is a caviar trolley and in honour of its previous incarnation, two soda fountains serves up bespoke sodas for grown ups.
ADDRESS
Corner of Jermyn Street and Duke Street
-
Mercedes-Benz previews its next-gen people mover with an ultra-luxury EV conceptThe Mercedes-Benz Vision V Concept is an art deco picture palace on wheels, designed to immerse passengers in parallel worlds as they travel
-
Visit this Michelin-star New York restaurant that doubles as an art galleryArtist Mr.StarCity is exhibiting his emotionally charged yet optimistic ‘Bloomers’ portrait series at Frevo, a Greenwich Village hidden haunt
-
Nina Runsdorf brings classic jewellery back to life to mark 20 yearsNew York-based jewellery designer Nina Runsdorf celebrates her eponymous brand’s anniversary with a new jewellery collection, ‘Archive’
-
One Club Row is London’s answer to the Lower East SideLocated at the site of the former hotspot Les Trois Garçons, One Club Row brings back noughties glamour with 19th-century interiors, gourmet bites, and jazz nights
-
Marylebone restaurant Nina turns up the volume on Italian diningAt Nina, don’t expect a view of the Amalfi Coast. Do expect pasta, leopard print and industrial chic
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Treehouse Hotel Manchester: you may not want to leafTreehouse Hotel Manchester offers a nature-infused biophilic sanctuary amidst the city’s ever-growing architectural canopy
-
Dining at Pyrá feels like a Mediterranean kiss on both cheeksDesigned by House of Dré, this Lonsdale Road addition dishes up an enticing fusion of Greek and Spanish cooking
-
London restaurant Tatar Bunar puts Ukrainian heritage front and centreFamily recipes and contemporary design merge at this new east London restaurant by Ukrainian restaurateurs Anna Andriienko and Alex Cooper
-
Corner Corner may be London's most unique entertainment destination yetThe newly-opened venue combines food, jazz and—yes—urban farming beneath one sprawling roof
-
For a taste of Greece, head to this playful new restaurant in London’s ChelseaPachamama Group’s latest venture, Bottarga, dishes up taverna flavours in an edgy bistro-style setting
-
A buzzy Korean pop-up becomes a permanent fixture in East LondonChef Joo Won has turned his Calong pop-up permanent in the arty enclave of Stoke Newington
