Without Reservation: Lessons From a Life in Restaurants

by Jeremy King

Jeremy King is one of the world’s leading restaurateurs. In this brilliant new book he shares wit and wisdom from his 40-year career and gives us deep insight into some of life’s most intriguing issues

The peerless Jeremy King is the founder of such iconic London restaurants and grand brasseries, as Le Caprice in the 80s, the Ivy in the 90s, the Wolseley in the 2000s to the Arlington in the 2020s, among many others. He believes that restaurants are microcosms of all life that can teach us so much. There is a curious intimacy between guest and restaurateur, and he has been witness to much heartbreak, failures and challenges, as well as celebrations.

In this wonderfully entertaining memoir he describes his life in hospitality and spills 50 years of anecdotes and true happenings as well as life lessons. He talks of the mystery of solo diners, why you should always look the waiter in the eye and misperceptions about which are the best tables. Over the years he has found himself confided in and refereeing disputes, and his counsel has been sought widely; ‘Well, Jeremy told me…’

Here he gives a series of incredibly valuable and wise life lessons on everything from the art of a quick ‘no thanks’ to trickier dispute resolution. He also shares some of the secrets of his one-of-a-kind restaurants as well as memories of stand-out guests like Lucian Freud, Harold Pinter and Lauren Bacall.

Genres: Nonfiction

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Passages about good hospitality I found a bit moving. King, however, wasn't one to dwell on his faults. The emotional toll of losing his Empire in 2022 must have been particularly galling; it would be nice to read a genuine account of why that happened (other than "Covid!") as well stories from his marriages etc, which fed into his view of Hospiality!

Character portraits were interesting (particularly, Harold Pinter Lucian Freud etc) and I was moved by perfect tale of French hospitality at end of the book.

In all - not a very deep affair, but a decent enough Xmas read.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A definite 3.8. Something I picked up and thought I would skim but was quickly hooked. An old school insight into dining in London with bits of gossip and how to manage rich drunk people. A surprisingly interesting read with a sort of manual of how to be in life. Worth a read.

[Liam Branaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable glimpse into the life one of London’s restaurateurs. Immediately booked a table to my favourite restaurant after finishing.

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can I give zero. A shallow stupid book. Ego and name dropping.