In his new memoir, restaurateur Keith McNally reveals a past romance with a well-known Hollywood actress, though he keeps her name under wraps. He hints that the star may be Gillian Anderson from “The X-Files.”
McNally, known for establishments like Balthazar and Morandi, shares in his book that the actress reached out to him through a mutual friend after noticing a 1998 Vanity Fair article about him. Interestingly, he admits he didn’t recognize her at first, despite her extensive experience in television.
The two connected over the phone, and she eventually visited him in New York, opting to stay at a walk-up instead of a hotel. While there, he mentions attending a Broadway play called “Art” during her stay, which lasted from February 1998 to August 1999.
His book notes a related incident: McNally recalls being photographed with Anderson during that Broadway run, although his memories might be a bit muddled regarding which publication captured those moments.
In an old column by George Rush and Joanna Molloy, it’s mentioned that the two shared a cozy dinner together. However, McNally insisted they were “just friends,” and jokes about how they would’ve exited more discreetly if there was anything more romantic happening.
Reflecting on his complex relationship with his then-girlfriend Alina Johnson, with whom he has a daughter, McNally seems to question the value of secrecy in romance. He recalls a moment when he returned from his time with the actress, feeling anxious after Alina reportedly saw a picture of the two in the news.
Interestingly, McNally had previously hinted at this affair in a 2019 interview, explaining that he had turned down her advances. His memoir covers a variety of topics, including his first night with the actress, which he says didn’t culminate in an intimate encounter, leading him to worry this would signal the end of their budding relationship.
He also humorously notes that taking a date to one of his own restaurants was a surefire way to impress her. Eventually, though, as they met several times afterward, he felt it necessary to switch their relationship to a platonic one, expressing love for her but deciding it wasn’t meant to continue romantically. After the breakup, he reconnected with Alina.
Neither McNally nor Anderson’s representatives have commented further on the revelations.
