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
-
Art takes London: Tiffany & Co, Damien Hirst and artists take over Selfridges' windowsFour British contemporary artists celebrate Tiffany & Co's pioneering history with a series of storied window displays
-
Hyundai’s new Inster EV ramps up the character and tech whilst downsizing the scaleThe Hyundai Inster is the company’s newest model, a compact electric SUV aimed at tech-savvy urbanites who like their cars to have a strong personality
-
The Goldring GR3 Record Player is an elegant and innovative new turntable for vinyl loversThis new record player from cartridge specialist Goldring bridges the gap between high-end and home hi-fi
-
Kanpai! Discover the best bars to drink sake in LondonDiscover the best bars in London to celebrate this ancient delight, just in time for World Sake Day on October 1st
-
London’s Covent Garden makes the perfect cosmopolitan backdrop for new British-French bistro, HenriBritish chef Jackson Boxer and French designer Dorothée Meilichzon reunite for Henri, a restaurant located inside darling hotel, Henrietta
-
Step inside Cowley Manor, a refreshed 300-plus-year-old spa hotel in the CotswoldsExperience bucolic bliss at Cowley Manor, recently renovated by architects De Matos Ryan and interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon
-
Seven London late-night restaurants worth staying up forOur food critic picks the best late-night restaurants London has to offer, dishing up excellent food in stylish surroundings after midnight
-
Café Petiole is a pastel-hued, plant-based haven within Somerset HouseDesigned by female-led studio Duelle, Café Petiole’s romantic interiors complement a vibrant vegetarian menu by chef Rishim Sachdeva, at Somerset House in London
-
Cabaret, martinis and Yorkshire puddings: The Cockatoo by Bistrotheque has it allThe Cockatoo, a bar, restaurant and performance space designed by Nice Projects, adds spice and rhythm to storied east London venue Bistrotheque
-
Recharge at Praktyka, the glamping spot all creatives should knowArchitectural cabins and art workshops await at Praktyka, a creative retreat on the wild North Devon coast
-
Tollington’s is the new Spanish-inspired fish bar making a splash in north LondonTollington’s in Finsbury Park is a new opening from the team behind The Plimpsoll, championing Spanish-style dining and interiors
