kettner's in soho, london just reopened. space design by studio ilse

located in what was the french quarter of london’s soho, kettner’s,opened in 1867 by auguste kettner, chef to napoleon III. it is one of the oldest restaurants in london’s theatre land. this revamp returns the venue to its original spirit. the design plays on its proximity to theater land; some spaces with an ‘on stage’ feeling and others celebrating the thrills and spills of backstage. the essence of the new kettner’s is‘fresh, fun and french’, a thread that runs throughout the design, thegraphics, the music, the uniforms and the food. ilse crawford sent us these images.

in the 1970s and 80s much of the original interior was covered up or removed. the new incarnation takes the building, consisting of four georgian houses, back closer to how it would have been in the past.

kettner’s cookbook that sparkles with the wit and sexiness of the 19th century bohemia and theater land

for the modern day epicure, the food is fresh, fun and french with a quirky english twist.

the apartment the boudoir, a place to powder your cheeks

buttoned seating for comfort and sofas with waists in the french brasserie

the studio and ‘salles de fetes’ (partyrooms), the legendary ‘cabinets particuliers’ for ‘tete a tetes’ restored and given new twist for private meetings, or one’s own after show party. kettner’s is located in 29 romilly st, soho, W1D 5HP london.

photography by paul raeside design project by ilse crawford of studio ilse