26 January 2018

26 January, 2018 / The Criterion, Piccadilly Established in 1873 and with a unique Neo-Byzantine interior, this restaurant is cited in Conan-Doyle's first book, "A Study in Scarlet" as being the place where Holmes and Watson first meet. H.G. Wells hosted the first ever Royal College of Science dinner here, and it was the setting for many afternoon tea meetings organised by the Women's Social and Political Union and Christabel Pankhurst in support of women's suffrage. From Downton Abbey to The Dark Knight, the venue has gone on to play host to a wide range of film and television productions and on 15 July 1919, just post WW1, Winston Churchill gave a speech in support of then Prime Minster Lloyd-George in which he stated "Party spirit, party interest, party organisation must, in these very serious times be definitely subordinated to national spirit, national interests and national organisation." Super for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. http://saviniatcriterion.co.uk/html/