I Ate at Simpson’s-in-the-Strand!

(This post is likely only of interest to people who find traditional, historical English restaurants interesting and/or Sherlockians.) “I think that something nutritious at Simpson’s would not be out of place,” said Sherlock Holmes at the end of “The Adventure of the Dying Detective.” Watson and Holmes also have dinner there together in “The Adventure of the Illustrious Client.” Simpson’s-in-the-Strand and its doorman When I was in London a couple of weeks ago, the friend I was traveling with was kind enough to indulge me. We happened to stumble across the location of Simpson’s-in-the-Strand while walking around the city, and I got very excited because “Sherlock Holmes ate there!” And I thought it had closed for good. I was glad to be wrong! Luckily, the friend was open to fancy dining, and we went in early enough we could get a table without a reservation, so we had the most amazing dinner there. Seated facing the fireplace But first, the history of Simpson’s-in-the-Strand. It opened in 1828 as a place for coffee, cigars, and chess. They began serving food in 1848, with the signature dish being roast beef carved table side from silver trolleys. Regulars included Charles Dickens, W...