The Holborn was a very grand restaurant in London, much favoured by “high society” in the early 20th century. The main dining room was the Grand Salon where lunch and dinner was served by waiters in formal dress. There was a smaller Grill Room and ladies could dine with their friends in a separate area. Music played by the in-house orchestra provided the entertainment and there was much smoking and drinking.

The Holborn makes an appearance in the first Sherlock Holmes story “A Lady in Scarlet”. Watson invites Stamford to dine there after meeting him at the Criterion Bar and where Stamford told Watson of a certain Holmes fellow who was searching someone to share rent with. “In the exuberance of my joy, I asked him to lunch with me at the Holborn, and we started off together in a hansom.”

More here: https://acdhw.tumblr.com/post/182708687140/the-holborn-restaurant-where-stamford-told-watson

With thanks to Chris Hirst for the tip!

Courtesy Private Collection.

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