I never managed to get to The Post Office Tower Restaurant: as children we had begged to be taken there, but when the grand day finally came, the IRA detonated a bomb- closing the restaurant, and it never re-opened.
The restaurant, apparently, survives and I wonder if the empty salon still echoes to the ghosts of suave International Men of Mystery and their Dolly Bird dates, revolving at a constant 360 degrees until thy kingdom come?
Construction on the Post Office Tower was begun in 1961, and at the time, it was the tallest building in London. It's easy to forget what a symbol of modernity it was at that time, and the phallic image cropped up time and time again in films, on posters, on television, and in books and magazines. The revolving restaurant was located on the 36th floor, and opened in 1966.
The restaurant was leased to Sir Billy Butlin, who managed the operation until terrorism closed it down in 1971. And what was on the menu I hear you ask?
Les Hor D'Oeuvres: Le Melon Frappé, L'Avocado au Fruits de Mer (that's just avocado with prawns), La Terrine de Truite Fumée (sounds dodgy); Les Poissions: Le Homard Newburg, Les Filets de Sole Bonne Femme, Les Entrees: Les Medallions de Filet de Boeuf Sautées au Beurre Noir, Le Châteaubriand, Sauce Béarnaise- etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
In other words lots of flambéing at the table, chilled glasses of grapefruit juice, domed silver chafing dishes, and fawning waiters in maroon mess jackets. Hasn't the world changed since then?
Photographs: http://www.butlinsmemories.com/other/postofficetower/index.htm
