Brasserie Zdel - A. A. Gill

Think 'grand caf' and the image that immediately springs to mind is a decadent, smoke-filled place populated by coffee-drinking thinkers, writers and artists in 1930s Europe. Along with the brasserie, the grand caf combines an opulent setting exclusively for the everyman. Zdel is such a place. Housed in a 1915 hotel off London's Piccadilly Circus, it was restored to its former grandeur and re-opened in 2012 with all the charm and distinction of Art Deco Paris.

In this book, A. A. Gill explores the origins of the grand caf and pays homage to the character of Zdel. Much more than just a restaurant, Zdel houses a bustling caf leading to a sweeping marble staircase, at the bottom of which are the Crazy Coqs cabaret, the Bar Amrican cocktail bar, and the magnificent brasserie itself.

Forty iconic brasserie recipes are included in the book, such as Soupe
l'oignon, Moules marinires, Boeuf bourguignon, Profiteroles and Tarte au citron.

Period photography and artwork help to capture the mood of this remarkable and fascinating venue.