One of the most beautiful- and glamorous- restaurant interiors in London. Slightly shabby, a touch frayed at the edges (a faded velveteen quality) understated, grand, utterly grown up; like a time-warp from the 1950's: what a proper restaurant should look like. Odin's boasts a serious art collection- many pictures, apparently, bought on the advice of Brian Sewell when the Modern British art market was going for a song. This is very much my sort of thing: William Nicholson, R.B. Kitaj, Patrick Procktor, David Hockney; all mixed up with obscure Edwardian and 20th century British artists such as Alfred Hayward. There's a massive and fabulous Laura Knight by the front door. Peter Langan took over the restaurant in 1967. Desparately fashionable back then, serving nursery food to le gratin, it's now very much off the beaten track.
Not so long ago, there was a suave maitre d' in a dark grey double-breasted suit to lead you to your table and spread your napkin on your lap; although recently this appealing trait seems to have vanished; the food- to be frank- is not up to much either (thinking about it, if Odin's suddenly upped its game and served fabulous food, it really would be heaven on earth) but I really don't want to spoil my post. Odin's still remains- and will remain- one of my favourite London restaurants. I will be extremely grumpy if it closes.
