Demise of Highgate Cafe Rouge Leaves London’s ‘90s Celebrities Bereft of Croque-Monsieur

A New Year with new hopes on the horizons. And some restaurant casualties left behind in 2019. Highgate’s Cafe Rouge shut last November, and while the chain is not known for its stratospheric food, that particular outpost attracted the A List. Jude Law, Liam Gallagher and Kate Moss had all been spotted there at some point. Where will they go now for their croque-monsieur and French onion soup, eh?

Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who will forever be known as the little kid from Love, Actually even if he wins Oscars and marries into the royal family, was out over the Christmas break. He was at a screening of the much maligned rom-com hosted by Gaucho Charlotte Street, which gave out snacks throughout the film.

Old Street cafe Ozone has expanded its empire to Cambridge Heath, opening up a big new restaurant on Emma Street. It has already proved irresistible for locals — try the hash brown cubes — even the famous ones. Rapper Professor Green was spotted there by such a local, having a spot of brunch on Saturday. He also couldn’t resist fawning over one of the many dogs.

A world away from Hackney, former Love Island contestant Gabby Allen was out for dinner. A West Londoner saw her out and about with her mum, dining at Kensington’s Restaurant Ours.

London Fashion Week Men’s came and went this weekend, ending with a bang thanks to a big dinner hosted by GQ Magazine. Guests descended on Berners Tavern for a three-course feast — and plenty of booze. Alexa Chung, Jack Guinness, rugby player Chris Robshaw, model David Gandy, presenter Dermot O’Leary and singer Camilla Kerslake were all on the guest list.

Remember Katie Waissel? The love-her-or-hate her X factor contestant from days gone by? She was papped in Mayfair on Monday night, leaving Nobu.

Some resolutions last longer than others. On Tuesday, Curtis Pritchard and Maura Higgins - who did not win last year’s series of Love Island but potentially put up the biggest fight - were out on a date night. Curtis has been recruited as the new ambassador for Weight Watchers but, as any regulars will know, that doesn’t rule out a treat: the couple went to the Charing Cross Five Guys. Not sure how many points that totalled, but he might have stuck to the free peanuts

Spot the footballer. A group of pals went out for Iranian food on Tuesday evening, choosing Berenjak in Soho. Among them Paulo Dybala, who plays for Juventus and Argentina. Not sure if he scored, afterwards.