On Saturday night a fire destroyed the Grade II-listed Kensington restaurant in west London, which was the highest-scoring London establishment to receive a Michelin star.
Regent’s Park Smokehouse, situated on the site of the Palace of Westminster, was awarded four stars by Michelin chef Tony Conigliaro in February, making it the only London establishment to receive one of the country’s highest food accolades.
On Saturday evening flames engulfed the restaurant. Staff were forced to abandon the premises for safety.
No-one was injured in the fire.
The restaurant first opened in 1999, three years after the nearby Westminster Parliamentary Palace was upgraded by then prime minister Tony Blair’s government to House of Lords.
Chris Bertram, principal of Regent’s Park School, the building’s owner, said: “We’ve lost the only parliamentary restaurant on the UK’s capital and the whole of the Westminster area.
“Our attention now has to be on ensuring that this important landmark, serving many thousands of locals and visitors each year, remains open for business as we rebuild.”
An investigation has begun.