HISTORY OF LONDON’S BEST INDIAN RESTAURANTS
MW Eat, the Real Indian Food Group, represents an exceptional history of innovation and consistent creation of memorable dining experiences starting with Chutney Mary’s birth in 1990. MW Eat was founded by Namita Panjabi and Ranjit Mathrani. They were joined by Camellia Panjabi in overall management of the business.
1990
Chutney Mary opens in fashionable Chelsea. Won Best Indian Restaurant Award in the UK within 12 months. Camellia Panjabi created Bombay Brasserie in 1983.
1997
Veeraswamy acquired. Major refurbishment undertaken of Britain's oldest restaurant. Won Time Out award for Best Indian Restaurant within 6 months.
2001
Masala Zone Soho opens. Pioneered in bringing street food into restaurants. Received immediate acclaim, including Time Out Top 5 Best Value Restaurants.
Jeremy Wayne in The Guardian gave it 10/10 for food, value for money and for service.
2002
Chutney Mary redone. Tio Pepe Best Indian Restaurant award within 6 months.
2004
Amaya opens to immediate praise. Receives simultaneously Tio Pepe Best Restaurant & Best New Restaurant Award within 6 months of opening.
2005
Masala Zone Earls Court opens.
Veeraswamy restyled to critical and customer praise. Receives Award of National Geographic Top 10 Destination Restaurants in the World.
2007
Masala Zone Covent Garden opens.
2008
Masala Zone is named as the top High Street Brand by BBC Olive Magazine.
2010
Veeraswamy becomes the first outside caterer to cater to a reception by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
2014
Masala Zone named most Popular Restaurant Group in London by Zagat 2014 London Restaurant Survey.
2015
Chutney Mary relocated to stylish St James’s, bringing together a glamorous dining room and the Pukka Bar. AA Gill the renowned food critic gave it 5/5 and concludes “if there is a better pan-Indian restaurant in London than Chutney Mary, I haven't eaten in it”.
2016
Veeraswamy awarded a Michelin Star shortly after its 90th anniversary, which it retains ever since.
2016 - 2017
Masala Zone restaurants were totally rebranded to be positioned at the top end of the informal dining sector. Restaurant interiors are completely renovated. Style and presentation further elevated; menu range widened to offer an even more eclectic menu.
Fay Maschler, the legendary restaurant critic, nominated Masala Zone Soho as one of her favourite restaurants, and reviewed it with the following headline “Food made with exuberance, pitch and profundity”.
2023
Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus launched in July, as a Grand Brasserie, in the historic Criterion restaurant site. Received significant acclaim and critical recognition from a wide variety of sources including the leading restaurant critic, Jay Rayner, in The Guardian who said “One of London’s most opulent rooms finally gets a worthy restaurant….It’s a shimmering gift to central London”.
Chutney Mary awarded AA Restaurant of the Year – the first time it has been awarded to non-European restaurant.