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Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Saving Veeraswamy, a British institution
Next year Veeraswamy, the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in Britain — actually, its owners claim it could be the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in the world — will be a 100 years old. Alas, that could also be the precise moment it ceases to exist. So, what is intended as a celebration could end up a wake. It's not just Veeraswamy's place in history that should be protected and preserved. It's also a rather good restaurant. (Alex Muller/Wikimedia Commons) Veeraswamy is perhaps one of the best-known landmarks on London's Regent Street. Not so long ago it had Austin Reed on its left and Aquascutum in front. Both of those legendary clothiers have disappeared. They have passed into history. Is that what might happen to Veeraswamy? If it does, its owners, Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi, believe it would be 'cultural philistinism'. Not many would disagree. It was way back in 1926 that Veeraswamy was founded by Edward Palmer, the great-grandson of General William Palmer and the Moghul Princess Faisan Nissa Begum. The restaurant is named after his grandmother Veera. In 1937 it became the first establishment outside India to install a tandoor oven. In the 1940s, it survived the blitz, its diners allegedly undeterred by German bombs. The truth is Veeraswamy has always been one of the favourite eating spots for some of the most famous residents of London. The Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) dined there so frequently that his coat of arms used to adorn the entrance. In fact, in the early 1930s, the Crown Prince of Denmark couldn't resist the place. He was not just a regular. It was one of his favourite haunts. The Goan-style duck vindaloo was his preferred dish. In gratitude, he took to sending a cask of Carlsberg to the restaurant every Christmas. Perhaps this is the origin of the British passion for beer and Indian food, which today is the mainstay of people who roll out of pubs hungry and tipsy around 11 pm every night. Veeraswamy has also been very popular with Indians. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and VK Krishna Menon were frequent visitors. So too Winston Churchill, the Kings of Sweden and Jordan, Marlon Brando, Laurence Olivier, Pierce Brosnan, Princess Anne, and David Cameron. In 1948, it catered to the Indian Olympic team. In 2017, Queen Elizabeth asked Veeraswamy to cater for the visiting President of India. The problem threatening Veeraswamy is that the building where it's housed on Regent Street is part of the Crown Estate, the institution that runs King Charles's properties. They've decided not to renew the lease when it expires in April next year. Instead, they want to take over the 11 square metre ground floor entrance to the restaurant so they can extend the reception for the offices on the building's upper floors. 'I think they have come to the view that it's too tiresome having a restaurant there. They want it to be all offices,' Mathrani recently told The Times. Veeraswamy has, of course, gone to court but the case is still to be heard. They have also organised a petition that tens of thousands have signed and which will, in due course, be presented to the King. But if none of that works then, as Mathrani bluntly puts it, 'We'll have to close down and then seek to revive in a new site after whatever period of time with all the implications for loss of business (and) potential redundancies'. And then, he ruefully adds, this might 'effectively destroy a major London institution'. That would be truly tragic. It's not just Veeraswamy's place in history that should be protected and preserved. It's also a rather good restaurant. In 2016, it was awarded a Michelin star, which it holds to this day. There aren't many other Indian restaurants that can make a similar boast. So, will King Charles intercede and prevent Veeraswamy's closure? It's the only hope left. But just in case he doesn't, I shall, on my next visit to London, make a point of dining there if only, sadly, to bid a fond adieu. Why don't you consider doing the same? Karan Thapar is the author of Devil's Advocate: The Untold Story. The views expressed are personal.
India.com
08-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
THIS restaurant is Mukesh Ambani And Isha Ambani's latest favourite dining spot, it is in...., it is owned by...
Isha Ambani and Mukesh Ambani Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man and head of Reliance Industries, recently dined in New York with his daughter, Isha Ambani Piramal. Their choice? Bungalow, the stylish Indian restaurant opened by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna. The Ambanis were heartily welcomed with flowers and traditional Indian customs, which included lighting diyas. It made the evening feel festive and similar to home. Chef Khanna gave them a special welcome. Isha and Mukesh Ambani lit traditional diyas, which personify light, celebration, and tradition ahead of Diwali. The restaurant was beautifully decorated with six types of roses, specifically chosen because they're Isha's favourites, and sprinkled with sacred water from the Ganga. As a special honor, the Reliance logo was recreated using marigold flowers, honouring the Ambani family. Vikas Khanna shared pictures from the evening on social media and expressed how privileged he felt. He wrote that it was an honour to host the Ambani family and to celebrate Indian culture in New York. Bungalow has become talk of the town since its opening in March. It recently received a rare three-star rating from The New York Times, becoming the first Indian restaurant in nearly 25 years to earn such appreciation. Known for mixing rich Indian flavours with a British-style club atmosphere, Bungalow is now a go-to spot for both locals and tourists. Getting a table at Bungalow is not easy. Reservations used to open just 15 days in advance or can say in advance, and all seats were snapped up within seconds, proving just how in-demand it is. A culinary tour of India That evening, the Ambanis enjoyed a specially crafted meal that represented the variety of Indian cuisine, from the north in Kashmir to the south in Kerala. Some of the standout dishes included Goan-style Shrimp Balchao Cones, crispy Sindhi Aloo Tuk, and creamy Yoghurt Kebabs wrapped in Kataifi. Since the Ambani family prefers vegetarian food, Chef Khanna prepared a special selection of plant-based dishes just for them. The drinks were just as unique. They sipped cocktails like the Kaali Peeli Taxi, infused with turmeric, and Chai Paani, which was inspired by classic Indian masala tea. These drinks added a taste, nostalgic Indian touch to the night. Mukesh and Isha Ambani's visit drew attention to how Indian food is now making waves around the world. With Chef Vikas Khanna leading the way, Bungalow is more than just a restaurant, it's a heartfelt celebration of India's food, culture, and tradition, right in the heart of New York City.
