Founded in 1964 by theatre agent Daphne Rye, Chelsea-based Italian restaurant Daphne’s is marking 55 years with a series of special events, collaborations and one-off dishes.
Headed by Hubert Schultz, Daphne’s bar team have designed a new cocktail entitled 55 Years Young in honour of the occasion alongside the restaurant’s unique birthday dessert, Young at Heart, consisting of seasonal fruit encased in a chocolate box.
For Mother’s Day, Daphne’s offered a special menu featuring antipasti such as tuna and avocado tartare with fennel; burrata with datterini and focaccia; and duck livers with creamed polenta and porcini, with main courses of tagliatelle with truffle; fillet of sea bass with caponata; and lamb cutlets with salmoriglio. Desserts included Amalfi lemon polenta cake with mascarpone; apple crostata with salted caramel ice cream; and pineapple carpaccio with coconut sorbet and lime.
To celebrate Easter, the restaurant has created 55 limited edition golden chocolate eggs decorated with Daphne’s 55-year logo. Individually wrapped and finished with a Daphne’s ribbon and card, the eggs are available to purchase at the restaurant, priced at £15 each.
The advent of the Chelsea Flower Show in May will see Daphne’s collaborate with classic fine bone china company Wedgwood, who have a regular flower garden at the annual show. Daphne’s will join forces with Wedgwood in an outside installation with a special dessert influenced by Wedwood’s Wild Strawberry design which, created in 1964, is also celebrating 55 years.
Served on the Wild Strawberry plate, the restaurant will serve a limited-edition wild strawberry inspired dessert, available for the duration of The Chelsea Flower Show (21 May to 25 May).
Alluding both to Queen’s and to Wimbledon with a quintessential British display, a floral installation will cover Daphne’s Draycott Avenue facade throughout the summer months, with the restaurant offering Perriet Jouet Rose by the glass.
Hosting a number of exclusive talks, Daphne’s Presents events will be held in The Conservatory. Launched in January, the first event led by Tatler’s beauty director saw some of London’s leading dermatologists discuss aspects of their field.
Further events throughout the year will include Daphne’s Presents: An essential guide to collecting Art, an evening devoted to art with Philip Hewat-Jaboor, chairman of Masterpiece London, and Andrew Graham-Dixon, television presenter, with further members of the panel to be announced.
Located between Chelsea and South Kensington in West London and with interiors designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio to reflect the vibrant colour palettes of Italy, Daphne’s focus is on its identity as a local Italian restaurant that provides exceptional food, wine and service.
Regarding the wine list, which offers a section dedicated to female producers, Daphne’s says: “Quiet revolutions are rumbling the world of wine. Why? Because demand from the wine-loving public is morphing. The discerning palate, creativity and tenacity of women can no longer be ignored, thus challenging the old boys’ network. A new generation of winemakers is introducing innovative ideas and processes to complement traditional methods. Wine-making and drinking has never been so exciting.”
