As England was gripped with football fever back in 1966, Gaylord Restaurant was just making its mark on the London dining scene. This year, Gaylord Restaurant celebrates 50 years as the benchmark in Indian food in the Capital and is delighted to still be welcoming a new generation of fans – no mean feat in an industry where restaurants come and go, and food fads change at an alarmingly fast pace.
The restaurant first opened its doors in London in 1966, launched by Mr P.L. Lamba who has just celebrated his 97th birthday. It is considered one of the oldest Indian restaurants in London, situated in the heart of Fitzrovia on Mortimer Street. Gaylord Restaurant prides itself on serving the finest Northern Indian cuisine and over the years it has been a top destination for celebrity clients including George Harrison & Ringo Starr, Peter Sellers, Rex Harrison, Faye Dunaway and Ben Elton. Many well known sports stars have paid regular visits to the restaurant including Ian Botham, Clive Lloyd, Sunil Gavaskar and Alvin Kallicharran, and a host of Bollywood actors and actresses, who appreciate traditional Indian cuisine, great service and an elegant dining room.
The first ever Tandoor charcoal clay oven was lit in Gaylord’s kitchen and because the owners were so concerned that it should arrive safely when flown from India, it was given its own seatbelt on the aircraft! The same oven is still used today, 50 years on, as Gaylord stays true to their philosophy ‘Tradition is always in’, embracing Western elegance and innovative presentation whilst celebrating India’s best culinary classics, effortlessly combining old and new.
Gaylord Restaurant is part of Kwality Group, which was co-founded by P.L. Lamba and is now headed up by Sunil and Dhruv Lamba, who have taken the company from strength to strength. With their sister restaurant in Mumbai also celebrating 60 years this year, 2016 is an exciting year for this family run company.
Dhruv Lamba, director of Kwality Group, said: “This is a proud moment for the Lamba family and we are delighted to be celebrating Gaylord’s 50th anniversary in London. This is an historic time for the restaurant and to see how we have grown is a huge achievement. My grandfather, Mr P.L. Lamba, who originally founded the company, is 97 years old and we are so grateful to have him here with us to celebrate. We look forward to the subsequent 50 years!”
Gaylord has also announced the launch of their own branded label on Fratelli Wines; Gran Cuvée Brut, Sangiovese Bianco, Sangiovese. As part of the celebrations, Gaylord have partnered with Fratelli, one of India’s highest awarded wines, to create a special Gaylord 50th Anniversary wine label.
An anniversary isn’t the same without a party, which is why Gaylord is hosting an exclusive party this June to mark the 50th Anniversary. A lucky customer is in with a chance of winning two tickets to this prolific evening event on Sunday 19th June. Expect a true Indian extravaganza, with street food, vibrant cocktails and exciting entertainment.
To enter, all customers need to do is simply dine at the restaurant in London before 10th June when entries will be put into a ballot. The winner will then be selected at random and announced on 13th June on Gaylord’s Twitter and website.
Address: 79-81 Mortimer St, London W1W 7SJ / 020 7580 3615
