BYO Is Not An Option

Ring and Brymer (Birchs) LTD - Caterers during Thirteen Reigns. It's an impressive pedigree as one might expect.

Although the company doesn't have a web site of its own, it's bona fides are found on this web site (scroll down for the reference).

This business was established in the reign of King George I, by a Mr. Horton, who was succeeded by Mr. Lucas Birch, who, in his turn, was succeeded by his son, Mr. Samuel Birch, born in 1757; he was many years a member of the Common Council, and was elected alderman of the ward of Candlewick. He was also colonel of the City Militia, and served as Lord Mayor in 1815, the year of the battle of Waterloo. In his mayoralty, he laid the first stone of the London Institution; and when Chantrey's marble statue of George III was inaugurated in the Council Chamber, Guildhall, the inscription was written by Lord Mayor Birch.

Well and truly by the reign of Victoria, Birchs was known as Ring and Brymer. Here's a sample of what the Lord and Lady Mayoress of London (and a few of their friends) were having for Easter in 1848:

Turtle and iced punch, turbot, salmon, fried fish, cod’s head, turbons de filets de soles, carpe en matelot, anguille à la tomata, perches à la vass fiches, mackerel en matelot.

And that was just for starters!

This matchbook probably dates for the early 1970s on the basis of this rather nifty vintage wine chart going from 1954 to 1968. After all one wouldn't want to make the unpardonable faux pas of ordering the 1960 Burgundy when the 1959 is superior in every way.

Looks like Ring and Brymer might have be be on the 'must call' list for your next party. If so, here's the number.