Cunard has announced the launch of the Verandah restaurant onboard the Queen Mary 2, to open in June 2016 after her significant refit, exactly 80 years after the first Cunard Verandah Grill went to sea on Queen Mary in 1936.

The Verandah, a favourite among guests onboard Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, will replace the Todd English restaurant onboard Queen Mary 2 and will evoke the special personality and flavour of French regional cooking with seasonal influences.

Set within light and elegant dining rooms, impeccable service with attention to every detail will make this an unforgettable dining experience, available at a surcharge for lunch and dinner. A bar will be available for pre- and post-meal drinks.

“We are proud to continue the legacy of our earlier ships while adapting for today’s discerning luxury traveler,” says Richard Meadows, president, Cunard, North America. “Today’s Verandah concept will be a must-experience culinary event on every voyage.”

The original Verandah Grills were exclusively reserved for First Class guests and were considered the most exclusive dining rooms at sea, on par with esteemed private clubs in London, New York and Paris. The restaurants offered a truly exclusive experience, as well as extra privacy for the rich and famous, including frequent Hollywood stars and royal visitors such as: Winston Churchill, Fred Astaire, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo and Elizabeth Taylor.