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Original Grill Restaurant
Dennis Lennon designed the original 100 seat, Grill Room, situated Portside, forward of the Columbia Restaurant, on Quarter Deck. The fact that the restaurant was accessed via a spiral staircase from the Grill Bar on Deck One, gave the impression of an exclusive dining experience.
Photo: Grill Bar
The plush plum panelling on the walls, plum leather covering on the original Mies van der Rohe chairs, a distinctive aluminium ceiling, and pink table linen added to the rich atmosphere of the restaurant. Diners could not help but be mesmerised by the detail of the Janine Janette "Four Elements" statues, placed at the four corners of the middle area.
Image showing the detail of the statues and the Mies van Der Rohe chairs
The addition of penthouse suites and the creation of the Queen’s Grill restaurant during the 1972 refit resulted in changes to dining arrangements. It was at this time that the Grills Restaurant was incorporated into the Columbia Restaurant. Changes were made to the decor to provide a continuous design theme throughout the restaurant, including the Mies van der Rohe chairs, which were upholstered in cream fabric. Two of the four Janine Janet statues from the old Grill Room (‘Air’ and ‘Water’) were re-located to the central area of the Columbia Restaurant.
It was at this time that the Robert Heritage "Race" Chairs were introduced into the space and like the Mies van Der Rohe chairs they were upholstered in cream. You can read more about the introduction of the "Race" chairs to the Grill Room/Princess Grill and the changes to upholstery.
If you have photos that show the restaurant or either of these chairs, please take time to post on the forum or the Restaurants Album in the Gallery.
During the 1976 refit the area was transformed into the new Princess Grill restaurant with Dennis Lennon once more responsible for the design.
Photography Department Photo1982
A third Grill Room, the Princess Grill II, was constructed during the 1990 refit in the space formerly occupied by a Columbia Restaurant annexe, directly opposite the existing Princess Grill. "A new staircase entrance to the Grill was built leading down from a new lounge built on Upper deck above.”
However, the naming of the two restaurants, Princess Grill I and Princess Grill II caused confusion, which led to the renaming of the Starboard restaurant - The Britannia Grill
If you have dined in the Princess Grill you will enjoy this You Tube video of a walk through the Princess Grill and down the spiral stairs to the Grill Lounge - enjoy!
Although the original Grills Restaurant was short lived, the concept of this exclusive restaurant remained as the Princess Grill and was a favourite of many passengers, throughout the ship's service life.
Photos (1 to 3): Michael Gallagher collection
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