[4] The restaurant was founded by Margot Boyce-White in 1971 when the relocation of London's fruit and vegetable market to New Covent Garden caused the area to be redeveloped.

The business changed hands in 1977 and was owned by Vanessa Garrett, daughter of the couple John and Jane Damant, who bought it.

[1] The counter-culture activist Sue Miles worked at Food for Thought, so starting a career as a restaurateur.

[5] The restaurant was patronised by workers in the nearby businesses of the Covent Garden district, which included the numerous theatres.

[6] A former stable and forge in Denmark Street was used by the proprietors of the restaurant as a storage area and sleeping quarters.