Brits seek authentic Indian food

A Coventry-based entrepreneur of Indian origin has come up with the idea of serving authentic Indian cuisine.

If you walk into an Indian restaurant in Britain, chances are it will be owned and run by restaurateurs of Bangladeshi origin.

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Now a Coventry-based entrepreneur of Indian origin has come up with the idea of serving authentic Indian cuisine.

Ownership of 'Indian' restaurants by Bangladeshis in London is so widespread that many Asians of Indian origin remark that they should pay royalty to use the word 'Indian' in their businesses - because that is what brings customers in.

Several patrons also often complain that what is served in such restaurants as Indian food is a pale shadow of the real thing.

In Coventry, which has a considerable Asian population, the newly opened Flamingo Bar and Grill has begun with the promise to serve the best of Indian cuisine.

Matharoo Holdings is investing 400,000 pounds on the new outlet, which specialises in Indian cuisine as snacks or main meals.

Jo Matharoo, one of three brothers who are partners in the venture, said: "The food we serve will be genuinely Indian. Many restaurants nowadays call themselves Indian but actually serve Bangladeshi cuisine.

"There's nothing wrong with that and it is extremely nice food, but Flamingo Bar and Grill will be the real thing.

"What many people don't realise is that 50 percent of people in India are vegetarians so that is a market we intend to cater for strongly.

"We are not just a restaurant," added Matharoo. "We will be open as a bar for people to relax and enjoy a drink and will complement that with high quality food."