Simpson's In The Strand | Richard Brendon

Jeremy King has completed his latest trio with the reopening of Simpson’s in the Strand, joining Arlington and The Park. A long-anticipated return, it arrives with serious heritage and a guest list to match. Across London, each address has its own edge, and this one leans unapologetically into glamour.

An institution reborn, Simpson’s keeps its old-school soul intact, with roast beef carved from trolleys, wood-panelled rooms, and a sense of occasion without the stiffness. Once an Edwardian chess club, it famously hosted the likes of Winston Churchill, Arthur Conan Doyle and Audrey Hepburn, and still feels like a place to linger and enjoy. Expect British classics done properly, rib of beef with all the trimmings, and glassware designed by Richard, bespoke, understated, and tying the whole experience together.

The glassware collection for Simpson’s in the Strand has been developed as a natural continuation of the restaurant’s remarkable legacy, drawing on its origins as the Grand Cigar Divan in 1828 and the enduring grandeur of the Edwardian Grand Divan established in 1904.

Created in close collaboration with the Simpson’s team and the Jeremy King vision, the collection is designed not as a historical reproduction, but as an expression of Simpson’s in the 21st century, honouring heritage while feeling relevant, elegant, and entirely at home today. The intention is for each piece to feel intrinsic to the Simpson’s experience: as considered and essential as the silver carving trolleys, the architecture, and the ritual of service itself. The collection supports the atmosphere of quiet theatre, refinement, and timeless English hospitality that defines the restaurant.

The design direction preserves the existing silhouettes and classic proportions, while refining the decorative language to sit more naturally within the Edwardian character of the Grand Divan. By simplifying the current detailing seen at Arlington and The Park, removing the three linear engravings, the original forms remain intact while allowing the collection to evolve into something more bespoke and historically resonant.

Particular focus has been given to the wine collection, most notably the Riesling glass, which is envisioned with a softer, more bowl-led goblet shape to reflect both the generosity of the wine offering and the elegance of the room. This design also draws on an important tradition in European wine service, where Riesling stems were historically coloured green or amber depending on the region of origin. Green was commonly associated with the Mosel, while amber or brown tones were linked to the Rhine and Rheingau, with clearer crystal often seen in Alsace and Austria. The guiding principle throughout the collaboration is simple: these should feel like glasses that have always belonged at Simpson’s.

Finer Dining, Every Day.