"It expanded into the current West Street location in 1929 and quickly became a favourite with the theatre crowd, with stars like Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and Marlene Dietrich among the patrons. Even the restaurant's name, The Ivy' came from a remark by actress Alice Delysia, who, as Giandolini was apologising to her for the disruption from building works, is reported to have commented that guests would cling together like the ivy'"
"It's in that guise that I remember it, working for a restaurant group called Kennedy Brookes. It was always one of the special restaurants in the company and unforgettably traditional. My employers eventually sold out to Forte, and relatively soon after, The Ivy was taken over by restaurateurs Corbin and King, who refurbished the place rather splendidly, keeping the essence of the original restaurant but making it once again a place to be seen."
The original Ivy opened in 1917 as an unlicensed Italian cafe founded by Abel Giandolini. The restaurant moved to its West Street location in 1929 and quickly became popular with theatre patrons, attracting stars such as Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and Marlene Dietrich. The name reportedly arose from actress Alice Delysia's remark that guests would 'cling together like the ivy.' Ownership changed many times: sold to Bernard Walsh in 1950, later part of Wheeler's, remembered under Kennedy Brookes, then Forte, refurbished by Corbin and King, and ultimately incorporated into Richard Caring's Ivy Collection. The West Street interior retains Art Deco lighting, diamond-paned stained-glass windows, a central bar, chintz-draped tables and velvet banquettes, combining vintage appearance with modern comfort.
Read at www.london-unattached.com
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