This month, London’s Savoy will unveil Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill, offering an informal yet luxury dining experience, presented in an elegant 1920s-style setting. The vibrant new design will evoke The Savoy’s rich and glamorous past, whilst creating a sought-after but relaxed dining environment, where Kaspar, The Savoy’s most famous four legged feline, will reside.
Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill will be an all-day dining affair, open seven days a week, serving a wide range of cuisine to satisfy all palates. A show-stopping oyster bar will take centre stage, encouraging a dynamic and bustling atmosphere, seamlessly moving from a patisserie breakfast bar to lunch and dinner with a beautiful display of shellfish, cured and smoked fish to whet the appetite.
The art deco-inspired restaurant is designed by Robert Angell Design Studio, using a 1920s and 1930s template in keeping with The Savoy’s history. The feel of a hushed hotel dining room will be replaced with a timeless, stylish and comfortable interior which will help to create a lively ambiance and complement the new informal menu.
With amazing views across the River Thames, the fish bar will add an element of theatre to the room with its oyster shell bar, two Murano glass columns and bespoke pendant light feature. Brass railings, art deco mirrors and a silver leafed ceiling will add elegance and light, and the marble bar flooring will be encircled by a teal swirl carpet, the latter representing the ebb and flow of the River Thames.
Robert Angell worked with David Collins as creative director for 15 years before branching out on his own in 2010 to specialise in luxury interior design. Impressive previous projects include Lime Wood, Pierre Koffmann at Wilton Place, The Connaught, The Berkeley and The Wolseley.
As for Kaspar: the three foot high cat was sculpted in 1926 by Basil Ionides to stave off bad luck, following the death of South African diamond magnate Woolf Joel in 1898.
The story has it that Joel held a dinner at The Savoy for 14 guests and one cancelled at the last minute. The dinner continued, but one superstitious guest announced that death would come to the first person to leave the unlucky table of 13. Joel took that gamble and a few weeks later he was shot dead in Johannesburg.
To avoid a repeat performance and damaging its reputation, The Savoy offered a member of staff to sit amongst tables of 13 thereafter. Unable to discuss private matters or feel at ease, this proved to be unpopular with guests and thus, in a stroke of genius, Kaspar was born.
For almost 90 years The Savoy has been more than happy to oblige parties of thirteen with Kaspar’s company, whereby he joins in with napkin around the neck and a full place setting to ‘enjoy’ every course.
Following its recent and most ambitious restoration, The Savoy continues to look forward. Kaspar’s will be a welcome addition to this iconic hotel, blending the traditional glamour of the past with a refreshing, modern dining experience.
