I met him by appointment that evening at Simpson's, where, sitting at a small table in the front window, and looking down at the rushing stream of life in the Strand, he told me something of what had passed." -- Dr. Watson (ILLU).

Holmes and Watson occasionally ate out while in London - and we know of at least two restaurants they frequented. The first was Simpson's, located in the Strand (DYIN, ILLU). Simpson's was founded in 1828 by Samuel Reiss (originally called "The Grand Cigar Divan"). Twenty years later, John Simpson (a noted caterer) joined Reiss, making the gentlemen's coffee and chess club into a restaurant; and it was renamed "Simpson's Grand Divan Tavern." Simpson sold the restaurant to Edmund William Cathie in 1864 where it gained a reputation for keeping everything properly British. In 1898, Simpson's once again changed hands - this time to Richard D'Oyly Carte of the Savoy Group. When the Strand was under construction and following the sale, the restaurant closed for a short time for redevelopment. When it opened again in 1904, it was christened with the name it bears today, "Simpsons-in-the-Strand, Grand Divan Tavern."

In London? Here's the website and the address in case you want to make reservations at Simpsons-in-the-Strand. Simpsons in the Strand 100 Strand, LONDON, WC2R 0EW Tel. +44(0)20 7836 9112

Holmes and Watson also dined at Marcini's, located near a theater where the De Reszkes sang.

Although Holmes and Watson ate at other establishments while on cases, only their "normal haunts" are listed here.