Elena's L'Etoile

Elena Salvoni - the queen of Soho at 90 years of age

Location: 30 Charlotte Street, Soho, W1T 2NG

Description: If you can't afford a weekend in Paris, then come here, advises one admirer of this Charlotte Street institution - indeed stomach-lining, incredibly tasty French food with a personal stamp is the order of the day, & reliability is the kitchen's watchword.

And of course this is also home to 'Elena Salvoni', the 'Queen of Soho' and London's most famous maitresse d'.

At 90 years of age after 60 years of first class restauranteering, she has decided to call it a day.

For more than seven decades Elena Salvoni has opened doors, waited tables and kept secrets for some of the brightest stars of the stage and screen, earning a reputation among diehard devotees as an endangered link to a bygone era of old-school hospitality.

Alas no longer will patrons at Elena's L'Etoile on Charlotte Street, where signed photographs show the faces of Robert De Niro, Peter O'Toole and Sean Connery, be greeted by the immaculate 'Queen of Soho'.

Themes: Food Food Theme