Twentieth century Scott's (restaurant)

scott s restaurant, mount street, in 2005

in 1914, scott s described hub of west end of london .

during second world war, james bond author ian fleming had idea of taking captured german u-boat officers werner lott , second in command, day out , lunch @ scott s aim of getting them drunk reveal how had managed evade british mines in skagerrak. plan failed not before restaurant filled police officers special branch after head waiter overheard party speaking in german. later, when scott s still in coventry street, fleming made regular spot @ restaurant, right-hand corner table 2 on first floor, favourite of bond.

in 1967, restaurant moved mount street. art dealer robert fraser had flat on third floor above restaurant.

anticipating move, kingsley amis, in first james bond continuation novel colonel sun, has bond lunching in scott s , fearing worst:- bond had heard whole north side of (coventry street) doomed demolition, , counted every meal taken in severe comfortable panelled rooms tiny victory on new hateful london of steel , glass matchbox architecture .

on 12 november 1975, john batey, aged 59, killed when ira bomb exploded in restaurant. fifteen others wounded. in december 1975, ira attacked restaurant again, firing ford cortina drove past. police had noticed ira attacked same location twice, , little other intelligence go on, had flooded london plain clothes officers @ vulnerable sites. inspector john purnell , sergeant phil mcveigh, both unarmed, on spot , able give chase in london taxi despite several shots being fired @ them. terrorists forced abandon car after driving cul-de-sac , continued on foot until reached balcombe street barricaded in council flat 2 hostages in became known balcombe street siege.

in 1988, kingsley amis reviewed restaurant illustrated london news, noting decor luxurious safe side of vulgarity .