J. Sheekey Overview
In 1896 Lord Salisbury (Grandfather of the current Lord Cranbourne) granted Josef Sheekey permission to serve fish and seafood in his new building development in St Martin's Court on condition that he supplied meals to Lord Salisbury's after theatre dinner parties. Josef Sheekey had become known to the Earl through his seafood stall in Shepherd's Market.
Initially Lord Salisbury restricted all fish to steamed or poached. Nevertheless it became fashionable with showbiz personalities, agents and promoters together with a cross section of the West End's working population including the traders of Covent Garden Market.
Originally a much smaller restaurant, it grew in size under different ownership over the years to the extent it is today. It was probably most famous during the fifties and sixties under the ownership of the formidable Mrs Williams, granddaughter of Josef Sheekey. Scott's Restaurants under the Kerman family subsequently owned it until 1993 before it was allowed to decline into bankruptcy and disrepair until rescued and rebuilt by Caprice Holdings in 1998. (Updated 01/09/2005)
Additional Info: Non-Smoking Area, Food Recommended, Food
Nearby Venues:
- Gabys, [Other/Unclassified] (0.02km)
- Cafe Koha, International (0.05km)
- Pizza Piazza, Pizza (0.05km)
- Pizza Organic (Leicester Square), Organic (0.05km)
- Cork & Bottle Wine Bar, Eclectic (0.07km)
- Browns Restaurant & Bar (Covent Garden), [Other/Unclassified] (0.07km)
- Beotys Restaurant, [Other/Unclassified] (0.07km)
- Med Kitchen (St Martin's Lane), Mediterranean (0.08km)
- La Tasca, Spanish (0.09km)
- La Plume, [Other/Unclassified] (0.10km)
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