It has long been the ultimate eatery for the world's A-list stars. Known for its exclusivity, The Ivy in London is continuing its expansion and today opens up a restaurant in Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. If walls could talk…

The original is a celebrity magnet?
Always has been, since it first opened its doors in London’s Covent Garden in 1917 as an unlicensed Italian cafe in the heart of theatreland. Patrons in the early days included Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Marlene Dietrich and Sir John Gielgud. Now it remains a haunt for anyone who is anyone, from Brad Pitt to Kylie Minogue.

It has crept elsewhere?
There are brasseries in locations such as Dublin, Manchester and Edinburgh and now Glasgow’s Style Mile is the next hotspot in The Ivy expansion.
Situated at 106 Buchanan Street in the former Nationwide bank and set across two floors, the contemporary establishment promises to bring “a touch of Ivy magic” to the city.
It will be open seven days a week and can accommodate around 222 guests.

What’s on the menu?
The Buchanan Street restaurant will offer all day, brunch, breakfast, desserts, drinks and vegetarian and vegan menus. Among the offerings, there is even an afternoon tea selection with prices starting at £7.95 for a basic cream tea. Afternoon tea is £18.95 and you can add champagne for £26.50.
The food on offer includes everything from classic dishes, steaks and fish and chips, while pancakes are a highlight of the brunch menu. 
Other dishes include lobster linguine and chargrilled halloumi with padrón peppers. The kitchen will be overseen by head chef Brian Scanlan.
 
James Corden likes The Ivy’s shepherd’s pie?
He tried to get a table at 17 to celebrate working in the West End, but couldn’t get in the door, trying again in his late 20s when Gavin & Stacey had become a hit.
“I called up to ask for a table at 8pm on a Saturday night. I got it. That was a big moment,” he said, adding that when he first dined there, he was “relieved to see things like shepherd’s pie” on the menu as “it immediately made me relax”.

The Ivy sparked passion between Brad Pitt and Dawn French?
Dawn told the book, The Ivy Now - which shares some of the legendary restaurants fêted recipes and memories of celebrity diners - that when she saw Brad dining with Terry Gilliam, she wrote the Monty Python star a note that said: “Make Brad kiss me as if he adores me or I will kill your family. Love Dawn.”
An hour or so later, Brad grabbed her and kissed her to the surprise of all around, saying: “Hey Dawn, great to see you. God you look gorgeous. I can see you’re busy right now, but is there any chance we can hook up again? I would soooo love that, can I call you...Please?!'
Then he waved and was gone.
Dawn added that when she turned to her fellow diners, including Jennifer Saunders, their jaws were "on the floor".

Will Brad be available in the Glasgow restaurant?
Who knows? He’s no stranger to the city, having filmed part of World War Z to Glasgow in 2011 and it’s sure to be a celebrity draw in Scotland.
A party to celebrate the opening last Monday night attracted songstress Amy Macdonald and Judy Murray.

Lauren Bacall was very Lauren Bacall-like?
While dining with Jude Law and his then partner Sadie Frost, Ms Bacall lit up a Marlboro Light, despite smoking being banned in the restaurant at the time. Sadie recalled that very soon, a “very nervous waiter was hovering at our table, very politely asking Ms Bacall to please put out her cigarette”. But the reply was to the point: “**** off” she told him.
And he did.