Simpson's-in-the-Strand

"When we have finished at the police-station I think that something nutritious at Simpson's would not be out of place." --The Dying Detective  

In a previous blog, I stated that Baker Street was probably one of the most notable streets in the world. It is for Holmesians, at any rate. Another famous street for Holmes fans is Strand or the Strand. 

The Strand was a great thoroughfare connecting London and Westminster. It ran along the north bank of the Thames, and its name is from the Old English strond, meaning the edge of the river. The Strand was known for its shops, theatres, and restaurants.

The Strand is mentioned periodically in the canon. In A Study in Scarlet, Watson stayed in a private hotel in the Strand before moving into 221B Baker Street. Henry Baskerville bought his boots in the Strand. Holmes and Watson took a stroll through Fleet St. and the Strand in The Resident Patient.

One of the most notable locations in the Strand (for Sherlockians) is Simpson's, one of London's oldest traditional English restaurants, and located at no. 100 Strand. 

In my latest book, Holmes of Baker Street, Holmes, and Watson have lunch at Simpson's. Watson described it this way:

Londoners familiar with The Strand would also be familiar with Simpson’s Divan Tavern west of Waterloo Bridge. Simpson’s dates to 1828 and began as a smoking room, then a coffee house, and by mid-century gained notoriety as a chess venue and restaurant noted for good food at reasonable prices. The ambiance consisted of brass rails, horse-hair stuffed black cushioned chairs, mirrors along the wall, and candelabras hung from the tall ceiling.

We arrived at the restaurant just before one o’clock and we were greeted by the manager Edmund Cathie, who showed us to our table by a ground-glass window. Cathie promised to bring our guest as soon as he arrived. It was 1:17 by the ormolu clock in the room when the dark-eyed Inspector G. Lestrade was shown to our table.

In the canon, Holmes and Watson dined at Simpson's after The Adventure of The Dying Detective and met there during The Adventure of The Illustrious Client.

Holmes of Baker Street is available on Amazon!