London: Where to Eat: Classics: J. Sheekey Oyster Bar

J. Sheekey Oyster Bar

J. Sheekey in the West End has been a British institution since 1896 when it first started catering to the after-theater crowd, and it regained glamour when it was taken over by the owners of the Ivy and Le Caprice more than a decade ago. In the space just next door to the original, where there was until recently a bookshop, a new 30-seat counter is opening. Though everything from the mirrors to the zinc countertops has just been installed, the effect is to recreate the authentic Old World oyster bar that Joseph Sheekey first ran. It’s so convincingly done, you may expect ladies in white gloves and men in bowler hats to appear on the stools next to you. No reservations are accepted; it’s first come first seated; however, there is a smaller version of this counter that is already open just to the left of the entrance to the original J. Sheekey where you can reserve and enjoy the exact same menu. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.