Diner dies of mystery illness
One of London's top restaurants reopened last week after voluntarily closing for two days while environmental health officers carried out investigations into the death of a woman diner.
According to reports, Denise Martin, a mother of two who was celebrating her 50th birthday, had dinner at Quaglino's in St James's on Saturday night (16 May).
Ms Martin, along with her five women friends, opted for oysters from the establishment's crustaceans altar.
However on Monday (18 May), Ms Martin suffered from stomach pains and severe vomiting. She was then found dead at her home on the Tuesday morning (19 May).
An inquest was opened and adjourned into Ms Martin's death on Thursday (21 May). No cause of death was established during a post morten examination.
Roy Johal, the partner of Ms Martin, said he did not blame the restaurant for her death.
After undergoing their investigations, officers from Westminster City Council and the Health Protection Agency allowed the eatery to reopen 48 hours later.
A Health Protection Agency spokeswoman said: "The Health Protection Agency is working to find the source of the patient's illness. Investigations are under way by Westminster Environmental Health Officers and the Health Protection Agency is advising and supporting this investigation. Currently there is no evidence to link the death to any particular establishment."
The restaurant's last routine food hygiene inspection was in October 2008 when it received three out of a possible four stars.
Words: Maria Bracken
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