Celebrity restaurant fined after rat infestation

Food hygiene officers prosecuted Montpeliano, opposite Harrods in Knightsbridge, for the standard of its kitchens and food preparation equipment. The company running the restaurant in Montpelier Street admitted breaking food safety regulations at Horseferry Road Magistrates Court.

Action was taken after a customer reportedly saw a rat near the kitchen in October 2002. Westminster Council hygiene officers who investigated the premises "identified an active rat infestation and found the cleanliness far below the standards required".

Council hygiene officer Richard Block, 27, said: "Fresh rat droppings were discovered in a food store - the problem was pretty bad. Rats carry numerous diseases which can make customers seriously ill with diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps for at least a week.

Mr Block added: "We found a vat of old waste cooking oil mixed with food standing in the kitchen, dirty cleaningup cloths covering up fish and dirty cooking equipment. The problem has to be pretty bad for us to prosecute."

All of which may come as something of a surprise to Montpeliano's bigname regulars.

Speaking today, the restaurant manager of 28 years, Antonio Trapani, said: "They [the vermin] came in when we were having some work done. They were probably after the flour in the kitchen.

He said: "We have had Rentokill round to keep regular check-ups and the last three times, they have found nothing. We have sorted out the problem. We also employ a cleaning company to come round every evening.

He added: "Everybody comes here - the crème de la crème of London. They have been coming for 28 years and will continue to do so. Today we are packed out.

"Our clients are the best - the famous and the rich. Kylie had a party and Justin Timberlake has been in. All the big names."

Scores of celebrities have made Montpeliano their number one Italian restaurant in London.

It was at Montpeliano where Justin Timberlake took Kylie and Dannii Minogue on the raucous Brit Awards night of 2003.

Nigella Lawson partly owes her marriage to Charles Saatchi to Montpeliano. It was here Saatchi first met her then husband, broadcaster and writer John Diamond, who introduced them.

Both men were members of the Scrabble school, which met in an upstairs room at the restaurant where the game was played for high stakes. When Diamond died of cancer, Saatchi began a relationship with Nigella. They married last September.