ORIEL LAST STAND

ORIEL LAST STAND was produced in honour the waiters and customers who for over twenty five years crossed the front door of the iconic Soane Square brasserie.

More than 500,000 people every year were customers of the bar and restaurant and thus turning it into one of the most all time successful cafes in the whole of Europe - comparable only to the ones that gave it inspiration such as La Coupole, Cafe Opera, Les Deux Magots and Cafe Flore - all in the French capital.

Oriel was a democratic cafe of the 'first in first served' tradition. Large enough to accommodate people in sunny days seeking to bask under the sun or in stormy days seeking shelter.

Raise a glass of champagne to Oriel. It lives on inside the images of this film.

One of the most successful French cafes in London was shut down because the Cadogan Estate didn't like it. It is believed that 10 million people walked through the front doors of the cafe in 25 years. The last evening was Feb 26 2010, when this film was shot.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• oriel
• sloane
• square
• london
• england
• uk
• grande
• brasserie
• de
• la
• place
• chelsea
• french
• cafes

[documentaryunit]

Today the production ORIEL LAST STAND has reached 700 views. Celebration! I invite you to watch it again at the above address.

This film was made to honour the waiters and customers who over twenty five years had crossed the front door of the iconic French Brasserie.

Oriel was a democratic cafe of the 'first in first served' tradition. Large enough to accommodate people in sunny days seeking to bask under the sun or in stormy days seeking shelter.

[ferengif]

Interesting "comments". You do realise that the main reason for which Oriel has been temporarily closed is actually the company running the group Oriel belonged to, or do you? A company renowned for their "profit over quality" line of business(despite of trying their best to pose otherwise). Bookings were not always impossible to get, but if many end up either not turning up in time or even at all, that option would only exist for those who have proven that they can keep up with it.

[documentaryunit]

@ferengif So what guarantee do we have that the new owners are going to put "quality over profit" (naive assertion to say the least). Bookings are snobbery. First in, first servedd, that's how it should be. Democratic. That's why French cafes were the hotbeds of revolutions. It seems that UK prefers private clubs and expensive restaurants.

[documentaryunit]

@ferengif That's the difference. But people are quitting pubs in droves and packing Carluccions, Oriels, Starbucks, Pret a Manger, Caffe Neros. The English do not seem to offer any alternative except price.

[sebastionstylo]

This is fiction. The food was inedible and service the pits. Read Hardens; "so much potential so badly executed".

The only thing that has been there for 25 years is the name above the door. Whoever they were they didn't deserve to run a restaurant. I am among many who are looking forward to something much more fitting for Sloane Square.

[documentaryunit]

@sebastionstylo Oriel had 10 million customers over 25 year. Every competitor in Chelsea or elsewhere beat the dust several times but Oriel carried on. 2009 had more customers than ever before. It was packed every night. I really don't understand what people are complaining about. But show me a better restaurant for equal a price.

[janeausten453]

I will miss having a drink while waiting for friends...so sad1

[Fireclimbing]

well good times ending, better times coming. good Video Congrats.

[documentaryunit]

It could be a good idea to open an English restaurant with the organisational skills and popularity of French cafes. Well, there you have a challenge. The probem is that the best food is always Mediterranean. From the espresso to the coq au vin.

Have you thought of an exmaple by now? I don't think it exists.

[documentaryunit]

@ferengif London has thousands of restaurants. Give me one example that works for a high number of customers and retains a modicum of quality. Oriel had a tradition and a quality minimum. That was accepted bit is millions of customers.

It had lasted 25 at the top. The Botanist is no better and it's only a couple of years old. The espresso is awful and £3 each.

[ferengif]

I am curious what the place will look and be like when reopening.