Celebrity Sightings in London Restaurants this Week

Phil Collins once sang that you can’t hurry love. And nor should you hurry dinner and drinks. On Sunday night Lily Collins, Phil’s daughter and star of The Mortal Instruments and Love, Rosie, stopped off at the recently re-opened Kettner’s Townhouse, the restaurant and hotel now part of the Soho House Group. She was catching up with pal Richard Dennen, new editor of Tatler. Always good to keep the press on side.

Here’s something I made earlier… Monday evening saw Konnie Huq, the former Blue Peter presenter and wife of the ever-jovial Charlie Brooker, head down to Quaglino’s for dinner. She and recently escaped Celebrity Big Brother contestant Ashley James were celebrating the Global Gift initiative at the historical St James’s seafood restaurant.

Not a great few weeks for Arsenal FC, but failure on the pitch can still work up an appetite. Recently-acquired striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was in Mayfair on Monday night, taking his girlfriend for a date night at Nobu. The experience did not leave him hungry for success: he missed a penalty later in the week. Can’t win ‘em all.

In the past few weeks, singer Ed Sheeran has been seen at Gymkhana several times, and word seems to be spreading. David Beckham was there for lunch on Tuesday, sampling the wares of the acclaimed Albemarle Street Indian. There must be something pretty special in that butter chicken.

Sketch, the slightly eccentric two-Michelin-starred restaurant and tearoom on Conduit Street, turned 15 years old this week, and Tuesday saw the celebrations. Founder Mourad Mazouz hosted, chef Pierre Gagnaire created the menu, and culinary legend Pierre Koffmann was among those to enjoy the feast.

Even a self-proclaimed ‘domestic goddess’ can’t always stay at home, even during an unseasonal snow storm. Nigella Lawson, just back from a trip to sunny Down Under, took on the cold on Thursday with a walk in the snow and a trip to the theatre to see Fanny and Alexander at The Old Vic. Afterwards she hot-footed it to Skylon, the Southbank restaurant and bar, where she raised a glass to the cast, along with Sherlock actor Andrew Scott.

A warm welcome on a cold night to new restaurant Bryn Williams at Somerset House. Shockingly, it has been founded by chef Bryn Williams, and can be found at Somerset House. The chef opened his doors on Thursday night, with the support of Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, his fiancée. Other guests included photographer Mary McCartney and chef Mark Hix.