London's First Indian Restaurant - George Street, London, UK
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Master Mariner
N 51° 31.034 W 000° 09.402
30U E 697268 N 5711178
The first Indian restaurant in London was located here in 1810. This is marked by a green plaque that forms the basis of the news story. The plaque is within an office but can be seen from the street.
Waymark Code: WMKZXE
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/24/2014
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member lumbricus
Views: 1

The BBC website tells us:

An Indian entrepreneur who opened one of the UK's first curry houses has been honoured with a green plaque.

In 1810 Sake Dean Mahomed established the Hindoostane Coffee House in George Street, central London.

He is also reputed to have introduced therapeutic massage or "shampooing" to Britain and was the first Indian writer to be published in English.

The plaque, which celebrates the achievements of former Westminster residents, was unveiled on Thursday.

At the age of 11, Mahomed joined the East India Company Army and rose to the rank of captain.

 He fought in a number of campaigns until 1782 when he resigned from the army and two years later arrived in Britain.

Staying in Ireland he wrote and published his book, The Travels of Dean Mahomet.

He later moved to Portman Square where he became an assistant to Sir Basil Cochrane at his vapour bath.

This is where Mr Mahomed is said to have added an Indian treatment, champi (shampooing) or therapeutic massage, to Cochrane's bath which became very fashionable.

In 1810 he opened the Hindoostane Coffee House serving Hookha with real Chilm tobacco and Indian-style dishes. The premises is now a building called Carlton House.

To many who are now part of the city's expansive curry house business, Mahomed was a pioneer.

Although forced to declare bankruptcy in 1812, he created a concept that was to become something of a phenomenon 100 years later, said Vivek Singh, chef at the Cinnamon Club, a Westminster restaurant serving New Indian cuisine.

Mr Mahomed's plan had been to serve "Indianised" British food which would appeal to the Indian aristocracy in London as well as British people who had returned from India, he said.

"The Indian aristocracy however would not come out to eat in the restaurant because they had chefs at home cooking more authentic food - it was just not a big enough draw to come out."

A few years later he opened special treatment baths on the seafront at East Cliff, Brighton.

He died in 1851 and was buried in St Nicholas' churchyard in Brighton.

The writing on the plaque tells us:

City of Westminster

Site of
Hindoostane
Coffee House
1810
London's first
Indian restaurant.
Owned by
Sake Dean Mahomed
1759 - 1851

The Portman Estate

Type of publication: Television

When was the article reported?: 09/29/2005

Publication: BBC News

Article Url: [Web Link]

Is Registration Required?: no

How widespread was the article reported?: regional

News Category: Society/People

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