As one of London’s most accomplished—and beloved—interior designers and journalists, Rita Konig has a nuanced understanding of how to live beautifully. (Among her many wonderful books, our favourite is Domestic Bliss: How to Live.) In addition to reimagining homes all over the world, she is also empowering and emboldening a new generation with her popular online courses for Create Academy. She joined us at The Park for a delightfully indulgent Long Lunch with her daughter Margot and friend Michael Phillips.
Is the long lunch a habit or aberration for you?
Neither, really. I love a long lunch, I just don’t always have the time for one.
What are the qualities endemic to a lunch companion?
Good chat, good humour, the potential for plans and always laughter.
Who were your companion at The Park, and why were they selected?
I had the best lunch at The Park, and it was a little serendipitous which maybe for me is how it always works out the best. Lunch was going to be with my daughter, Margot. She actually hates a long lunch, and when I told her there would be questions about why we like a long lunch, she was quite pithy! But before lunch, I got a call from my good friend Michael Phillips asking if I was about for lunch, so I said yes and asked him if he was willing to have his picture taken. He agreed and said lunch at The Park was just what he was hoping for. We had the best lunch—even Margot had a great time. We laughed a lot, the chat was good, we had a delicious lunch and there was a sundae and candy floss, followed by a little Christmas shopping. What could be better?
What did you eat and drink, and why?
Michael and I both had Bloody Marys. I love them but they can be a risk—the ones at The Park are always excellent and I think it is a great lunchtime cocktail. It almost feels healthy! We had Chicken Pot Pies and lots of puddings. Oh, and we shared a shrimp cocktail (so different to a prawn cocktail). I just love that American cocktail sauce.
What will you order at your next long lunch?
I love sharing the Rib-eye Tagliata, which I did the next day for lunch with my mother. I wish you had oysters on the menu—that would be such a good sharing first course. Oysters followed by steak is one of my favourite lunches.
On the days that you are long-lunching, do you dress differently?
I definitely dressed up! I wore a silk blouse from Soler, a leopard print skirt from Carolina Hererra, and boots from Gianvito Rossi, which felt so nice instead of rushing out in the first things I saw in the cupboard. I think a long lunch does feel like an event worth dressing for!
The best day of the week for a long lunch is….?
Friday, if I’ve taken the afternoon off, or a Saturday, as there are no other pressures. It is such a pleasure and luxury to not have to keep an eye on the time.
Tell us about your favourite long lunch of all time.
There have been a few, and they are almost always about the company. It’s when they roll into dinner that’s so good, I just can’t remember the details—I suppose that is the risk with a really good long lunch!
RITA’S DOSSIER
Birthplace: London.
Neighbourhood: Ladbroke Grove.
“Short” lunch strategy: Panic. But the counter at Sumi is a good one if it’s to be enjoyed.
Cocktails: Bloody Mary at The Park, a Telefonino at the River Café, and a Porto Tonic at home.
Workout: Weight training with Sam at Cure.
Bookstore: Heywood Hill.
Favourite park (besides ours!): Central Park.
Current projects: A lakeside hotel in Wisconsin.
Any recommendations for us? Slow Horses, All Her Fault, and I’m rewatching Will and Grace with my daughter, aged eleven. The Beast in Me is also on my list.