Founded in 1926 by Edward Palmer, a retired Anglo-Indian officer in the British Indian Army, the grandson of an English general and an Indian princess.
An importer of Indian foods, Palmer advised on the ‘pop up’ restaurant of Indian Government Pavilion at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924, and served an average of 500 curries a day. This evolved become London’s first high end Indian restaurant.
Early customer included European and Indian rotyaltyPandit Nehru, Indira Ghandi, Charlier Chaplin and Marlon Brando.
Once operated by Ranjit Mathrani, with sisters Namita and Camellia Panjabi, the trio behind MW Eats, which owns Amaya, Chutney Mary and Masala Zone, the three have stepped back from day-to-day operations.
The menu blends royal recipes with regional specialities and contemporary interpretations of street food.
Signature dishes: Travancore Prawn Curry (a Keralan coastal offering); Roast Duck Vindaloo: Goan-inspired using British duck; Champaran Lamb, a slow-cooked, rustic lamb dish from Bihar; and
Lobster Malabar Curry.
