Ivy
The restaurant started life as an unlicensed cafe selling Italian food in 1916. It was set up by Abel Giandellini, who hired Mario Gallati as maitre d’ – Gallati was instrumental in transforming it into The Ivy. The name itself originated from a chance remark by actor Alice Delysia, who overheard Giandellini apologise to a customer for the inconvenience caused by building works. When he said that it was because of his intention to create a restaurant of the highest class, she interjected “Don’t worry – we will always come and see you. ‘We will cling together like the ivy’,” a line from a popular song.