Clarke’s 36th Birthday!

December 12, 2020

 The 17th December is not only the final day for Christmas Eve pre-ordering, BUT IT ALSO marks our 36th Birthday!!!!! The Restaurant opened its doors on the evening of the 17th December 1984 with the Dining Room full of family and friends and a set menu of smoked Scottish salmon, Welsh lamb and British cheeses.

Smoke billowed up the stairs from the kitchen due to a malfunctioning extract fan….. and no bread on the table as I had forgotten to order it!!!!!!!!! Those were the days, full of hope and excitement, bravery and madness………

And now as we look at 2020 – marked by the bravery of so many, and the madness of some………. we will all be raising a glass or two, to you our wonderfully supportive and kind customers who have followed our Restaurant and Shop re-opening dates,
our lockdown dates, those who have signed up for Home Deliveries, Thanksgiving orders, Hampers for new babies, new homes or just to say “we are thinking of you”…

We have been part of so many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness by so many of you – and we are so grateful. I am grateful too to our fabulous teams of Managers and staff – all of whom have coped with the ebbing tides of certainty and uncertainty with good humour and resilience. I am blessed to have each one of you on board.

Who knows what the Government Guidelines will be next week – we are holding our breath. But in the meanwhile, our reservation lines are open every day, for Lunch and Dinner until the 23rd. We then re open on the 28th – 31st for Lunch and Dinner and even if we have to celebrate “midnight” at 9pm on New Years Eve, we will be there for you, pouring the Champagne!!!

In the meanwhile, please remember that our Shops in Kensington Church Street and Westbourne Grove are open every day and this year also from the 29th to the 31st December! With my best wishes to you all for a happy, healthy and delicious December.

Sally