So, like, the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK might have to pack up and move because of some lease drama. I mean, come on, who would want to mess with a place that’s been around for almost a century, right? The iconic Veeraswamy, tucked away in a historic spot, is facing the possibility of relocation or even shutting down. Such a bummer, dude.
Back in the day, when I was just a newbie economist working for the Treasury, we used to get our work orders delivered by messengers. Can you imagine that? It was like a blast from the past, with all these fancy Latin words in our briefing papers that made zero sense to me. We’d spend hours prepping reports for the big shots, even though we knew they probably wouldn’t bother reading them anyway.
One Christmas, we had this surprise lunch at Veeraswamy. Let me tell you, stepping into that place was like entering another world. The decor was a bit faded but still fancy, with red and gold everywhere, and the smell of delicious food lingering in the air. It was like being part of some elite club, even though we were just a bunch of government workers.
During the meal, some waiter brought in these decanters of port, and let me tell you, the drama that unfolded afterwards was priceless. Turns out, nobody had actually ordered the fancy wine, but we still got charged for it. Classic mix-up, am I right?
Now, fast forward to today, and Veeraswamy is fighting to stay in its original spot. The Crown Estate wants them out, but the owners are not having it. They’ve even taken the matter to court, hoping to extend their lease. And get this, they’ve started a petition to King Charles. Talk about pulling out all the stops.
Founded back in 1926 by some British Indian Army officer, Veeraswamy has come a long way from catering to Anglo-Indian tastes to becoming a Michelin-starred hot spot. They’ve hosted big names like Mahatma Gandhi and Charlie Chaplin, and even published their own cookbook. Who knew Indian food could have such a rich history in the UK, right?
The restaurant is part of this Masala World company, which also owns other fancy places like Masala Zone and Chutney Mary. It’s like a whole empire of Indian cuisine, making moves and changing locations to keep up with the trends. But moving Veeraswamy would be a whole different story. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s a piece of London’s culinary heritage.
With places like the India Club and Simpson’s Tavern closing down, losing Veeraswamy would be a real blow to the city’s diverse food scene. The Crown Estate might not have much to do with the King, but making an appeal to Charles could be their best shot at staying put. Queen Victoria apparently loved a good curry, so who knows, maybe there’s hope after all.
In the end, it’s not just about a restaurant moving locations. It’s about preserving a piece of history, a place that has seen generations come and go. Let’s hope Veeraswamy gets to stay where it belongs, serving up delicious dishes and making memories for years to come.
