| The Gay Hussar | |
|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1953 |
| Food type | Hungarian cuisine |
| Street address | 2 Greek Street |
| City | London |
| Postal code/ZIP | W1D 4NB |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Reservations | +44 (0)20 7437 0973 |
| Website | www.gayhussar.co.uk |
The Gay Hussar is a Hungarian restaurant in Greek Street, Soho, central London, England.
Victor Sassie[1] was the founder of The Gay Hussar restaurant in 1953. Sassie was sent to Budapest in Hungary by the British Hotel and Restaurant Association when he was seventeen. He served his apprenticeship at the Gundel restaurant in Budapest. On his return to London in 1940, he established first the Budapest restaurant and then The Gay Hussar, which was to become popular with left wing politicians.[2] Diners included T.S. Eliot, Mortimer Wheeler, Aneurin Bevan, Barbara Castle, Ian Mikardo and Michael Foot.[3]
The restaurant was named in honour of the elite Hussars of the Hungarian army.[1] The name is also associated with the name of a popular Hungarian operetta, The Gay Hussars, by Emmerich Kálmán.