What to See in Holborn
The Cartoon Museum
The Cartoon Museum is a charitable organisation committed to establishing a permanent centre, gallery and public exhibition open all year round for the cartoon arts, cartoons, caricatures, comics and animation. In the direction of that goal the Trust has built up an impressive collection of cartoon art and is still seeking further donations. A key part of the Trusts work is the organisation and assisting with, touring exhibitions, the Trust also coordinate cartoon and animation classes for children, runs fairs, and plays host to the annual Cartoon Art Trust cartoon awards, now in their eighth year, including a programme of lectures and events.
Museums of cartoon art have opened abroad, where other countries have recognised the importance cartoons play in society, whether they are judged as records, conveying the spirit of the period, as works of art, or simply as jokes, cartoons an integral part of our lives today. The finest cartoons are works of art in there own rites: in their original form they have propinquity, and often much subtlety of observation and technique, which is invariably lost in there reproduction.
The Trust already holds over 700 fine drawings, which have been catalogued, given a conservation rating and digitally photographed by professional conservators. CAT has recently raised funding for its first curator and continues to strengthen its collection with archive material, sketches, photographs and a comprehensive library of over 2000 books, by, and about, cartoonists and caricaturists.
Sir John Soane's Museum
The architect Sir John Soane's house, museum and library at No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields and been a public museum since the early part of the 19th century. Soane knocked down and rebuilt three houses in succession on the north side of Lincoln's Inn Fields. He began with No. 12 between 1792 and 1794, moving on to No. 13, re-built in two phases in 1808-9 and 1812, and concluding with No. 14, rebuilt in 1823-24.
On his appointment as Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy in 1806 Soane began to arrange Books, casts and models in order that the students might have the benefit of easy access to them and proposed opening his house for the use of the Royal Academy students the day before and the day after each of his lectures. By 1827, John Britton published the first description of the Museum; Soane's collection was being referred to as an Academy of Architecture.
In 1833 Soane negotiated an Act of Parliament to settle and preserve the house and collection for the benefit of amateurs and students in architecture, painting and sculpture. On his death in 1837 the Act came into force, vesting the Museum in a board of Trustees who were to continue to uphold Soane's own aims and objectives.
Ripley’s Believe or Not Emporium
Robert Leroy Ripley, the man who fashioned the phrase Believe It or Not is an icon in the world of cartoon art and the founder of an entertainment empire based on the premise that truth is stranger than fiction.
In early January 1913 Ripley had a first illustration released in the New York Globe and Commercial Advertiser. He put together a series of small sketches entitled Champs and Chumps which included sketches such as A. Forrester of Toronto ran 100 yards backwards in 14 seconds, and SD See hopped 100 yards in 11 seconds. Disappointed with these works, Ripley scratched out the original title and inserted the coined phrase, Believe It or Not across the top. Amazingly, the cartoon was hailed by the public as revolutionary making Ripley an overnight sensation.
Hereafter, his life was dedicated to travel which was an obsession although it provided a means of increasing his fame. He reported and experienced unbelievable things in exotic locations the majority of his readers would never get to travel to, and he would expand his daily cartoon subject matter from sports oddities to Believe it or Not’s.
Returning to New York in 1923, The New York Globe newspaper which employed him, folded. Ripley was soon approached to produce a Believe It or Not book. More than 500,000 copies were sold and in the eighteen months following publication of the first Believe It or Not book, made Ripley more than
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million. He was the first cartoonist to become a millionaire and, in 1936, was voted the most popular man in America by newspaper readers across the country.
Robert Ripley displayed his collection of objects from all over the world to the public for the first time at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933 - it attracted nearly 2 million visitors.
The 1930s and 1940s were a period of excellence for Ripley. His doting public flocked to concert halls and theatres to hear his lectures and see his films. In 1948, he created a television pilot based on one of his radio shows. The pilot was such a success it became the basis for one of the very first weekly television series.
In 1949, Ripley had a heart attack and sadly died just three days later. He was 55.
Restaurants in Holborn
Pearl Restaurant
Pearl Restaurant is one of London’s most enchanting dining rooms. From the moment clientele walk in to the restaurant, the venue radiates opulence with streams of hand-strung pearls, pearl chandeliers and walnut interior, the atmosphere is very relaxed and welcoming.
An invigorating modern French menu changes seasonally in tune with the available and freshly obtained produce, and is complemented by the stunning surroundings of the restaurant. Pearl’s award-winning wine list features over 200 wines stored in the expertly crafted and purpose designed wine cellar.
The highly trained and meticulous staff attend table with a regimented but, friendly approach, ensuring the clientele are put at ease and pampered to the ultimate extremes, making a visit to this beautifully appointed Restaurant a memorable occasion.
Moti Mahal
When Moti Mahal first opened its doors in Delhi in 1959, the restaurant was an instant success. Regular Visitors included India’s first Prime Minister, Jawahalal Nehru, his daughter Indira Ghandi as well as the Kennedys. At that point in time, it was amid a handful of exceptional dining establishments in India. The Restaurant lays claim to being one of the first to bring in and use commercially the tandoor oven.
With the opening of the London outpost in 2005, Moti Mahal has ascribed to the rising trend of Indian gastronomic venues in the British capital. Since 2005 Moti Mahal has been unswervingly rated among the top five related establishments in London with its Delhi-born owner operating as head chef since the restaurant’s inauguration.
Moti Mahal offers a relaxed, authentic Tandoori, gastronomic Indian restaurant in the heart of London’s West End. Offering a varied and excellent array of authentic Indian cuisine served in serene surroundings, by helpful and friendly staff. Whether it’s for lunch or dinner, we invite you to enjoy the chef and his staff and the highly acclaimed and celebrated menus inspired by a life-long passion for the cuisines of India’s Grand Trunk Road.
Shanghai Blues
Experience urbane fine dining excellence in an Oriental Heavenly setting located in the heart of the bustling Capital, close to all of the main attractions and sitting in London’s Theatre district.
Shanghai Blues is positioned in High Holborn located in a Grade II listed building formerly Holborn Hall. This establishment played host to the St Giles library. Its position places the venue within easy walking distance of the ever popular Convent Garden and the hustle and bustle of one of the capitals highlights, Soho. Suave, in vogue yet discreet, Shanghai Blues restaurant and bar is the superlative venue for that important lunch meeting, being located close to the financial hub of the city, a tranquil afternoon tea or fun-filled dinner Party.
The Restaurant is divided up into five distinct areas, delivering the feelings of space whilst offering luxury that is palpable throughout the venue. The bar is a perfect setting for pre-dinner drinks while the mezzanine lounge is idyllic for cocktails and canapés. The Silk dining room invites diners for a luxurious meal, whilst the Tea dining room is great for those smaller and more intimate gatherings. The private dining room welcomes those guests who are after privacy.
At Shanghai Blues, the owner and staff believe in offering the highest standards of food and service providing a inimitable and cherished dining experience. The attentive and professional staff take great pride and self satisfaction in looking after each and every guest throughout their time at Shanghai Blues. Clientele can relax and laze over there meal without feeling rushed.
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My Old Dutch
The original pancake house which was established and opened in 1958 was situated conveniently between the West End, Covent Garden & the City, an ideal location for this new venture.
My Old Dutch offers savoury and sweet pancakes as well as a selection of salads, traditional Dutch starters and deserts from its kitchens, all served with tender and loving care by the highly responsive staff at this venue.
The atmosphere is welcoming, warm, and friendly and relaxed which makes it a great venue to come along to and enjoy some really great and comforting food.
Edokko Japanese Restaurant
A self-effacing and unobtrusive adjunct to Red Lion Street, Edokko is the idyllic setting for clientele who like their Japanese food authentic, traditional and rustic, but without occidental concession.
The interior a small room simply fitted out with blond and dark aesthetic woods comprises of a six-person sushi bar counter and three tiny closets. The menu on offer comes with minimal explanation and portrays a shortfall of detail, plainly aimed at those discerning diners who know their way around the mainstays of Japanese cuisine. The delectable offers come in the form of sushi, sashimi, tempura, noodles and grills.
During the lunchtime period, there are bento boxes, while the dinner menu mixes everyday dishes which include popular favourites such as, beef teriyaki and grilled eel, with ostentatious items including, black cod in saikyo miso, or sea urchin sushi, for instance.
Don’t neglect the specials, which may include stir-fried belly pork & bean sprouts with a chilli & garlic sauce. Edokko also provides fantastic takeaway sushi options for those on the move.
