The French Restaurant in London From the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Century

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The evolution of the French restaurant in the British capital provides a fascinating insight into the ways in which British society in general and London in particular have changed.

“My first thought on seeing this attractively presented book was to wonder why no one had tackled such an appetizing subject in such depth before… start with the Index of Places, and look up your favourite French restaurant, or one you are thinking of trying. For this is a fascinating guidebook to history, fashion, and not least the pleasures of the table” (Robert Tombs, French Studies)



Besides being the author of “Fishes with Funny French Names”, Debra Kelly is a Professor Emerita in French and Francophone Studies at the University of Westminster and is currently Visiting Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Language Acts and Worldmaking at King's College London.

Marc Glendening is the co-founder of the Sohemian Society. His connection to Soho dates back to when, as a baby, he visited the Colony Room where his father, the painter Ronald Glendening, and his stepmother, Sohemian Society stalwart Yvonne Glendening, were regulars. Marc works as a free speech campaigner. He also writes occasional journalism.