Jeremy King is dodging ladders. The restaurateur — genteel is the usual adjective — is at the building site of his new restaurant, which also happens to be his old restaurant. This is Arlington, which King ran with Chris Corbin as Le Caprice from 1981 to 2005, before selling it to Richard Caring, who eventually closed it.
“The first time I’d ever really come back was last March, and it was very emotional,” says King. “I was surprised. But so much of my life, and the formative years of being a restaurateur, happened in these rooms.” Memories bubbled as he saw the shells of old offices and kitchens. “In this room,” he nods, “I had to take in a stainless steel manufacturer who hadn’t delivered and, I’ll confess, threaten him. It was the closest I’ve ever got to losing my temper, even feeling physical.”
