My oh my, it would be a total tragedy if the jewel in Margate's admittedly tawdry crown were to fall out and roll across the Kentish floor to destinations west. But that's what the Indian Princess has been hinting on its Facebook pages recently.Voted one of the top restaurants in Kent, and supposedly council leader Sandy Ezekiel's favourite restaurant in the whole wide world, the Indian Princess is a superb eatery. In the three or so years since they established themselves here in Thanet, the delightful Vik and Dev have worked tirelessly to gain an unrivalled reputation for fine dining based on Indian fusion cuisine. But on Monday they posted on their Facebook account:
'Indian Princess wonders if it's in the wrong location.' And after supportive comments from Facebook friends added: 'Thank you for the kind words. We want to stay in Margate but despite hard work it doesn't seem to be happening for us. We are in the Michelin guide book next year and hope the publicity will give us a lift but its unlikely we will last through the winter with these poor sales. Canterbury, Broadstairs, Whitstable, Tunbridge Wells????'
If the restaurant did relocate it would be a massive blow for Margate's regeneration chances. But if they do decide to set up somewhere more upmarket, we'd be delighted to welcome them in Ramsgate!
*On a brighter note for Margate, the lovely Louise Oldfield has declared her new boutique B&B in Hawley Square well and truly open for business. Click here to go to the Reading Rooms website. Looks fab!
Sxx
17 comments:
Never been but I hear very good reports from those who have. Lets hope it stays as it is a much needed asset to Margate.
I agree - of course they should come over here.
Oooh, they ought to move here to Westgate. The girls and I would take lunch there. They do do a Coq au Vin I assume?
The likes of Roger 'Three Homes' Gale and Sandy 'Five Homes' Ezekiel have stood by, feathering their own nests, while Margate rots. At least here in Ramsgate Steve Ladyman has helped with getting the fast trains here, the fast ferry, in fact the fast everything (he does own a Ferrari after all, doesn't he?)
Now Gale and Ezekiel want to wreck Ramsgate too with their mad scheme for night flights. The sooner Ramsgate goes totally independent of Margate the better. We will then decide what flies over us and when.
A shame, but there's plenty of other Eastern (Indian / Chinese / Thai) restaurants around. Would be nice to see more cultural diversity here, such as a restaurant with traditional Jamaican food.
I live just up the hill from them and I love it in there. Admittedly I do not go as often as I would like the old family coffers will not allow. However I do not know whether their FB status are totally justified. Whenever I go past they are packed and when I do venture in on the off chance (i.e not having pre booked) it is full and they have to lay a table especially.
It would be a huge shame to loose them, I have been a fan since their start and introductory prices. At the time they were the only restaurant I could take my vegetarian friends.
I do not think it is fair to say it is MARGATE's fault. Unlike Ramsgate demographics it is true to say the majority of the population is not working and thus maybe The Indian Princess' clientele is based somewhere else. However Margate is a bit like a famous brand, well known but not quite what you expect. While Ramsgate is (I think) all show.
I hope that the Indian Princess' owners and Head Chef do not pull out and that they receive many a Christmas Party Booking!
I do too Katie. They may, of course, merely be 'crying wolf' to drag a few more customers in. Let's hope so.
Well, maybe they should lower their prices to pull in more punters, if they're that concerned about it.
They do special offers, but their prices have generally gone up and I have to say the quality of their food has gone down slightly since they first opened. That is usual for most places though, they try harder to begin with.
Still an excellent place for a meal though and let us hope the recession in general and Margate's 30 year recession in particular does not mean they depart these shores.
I went to the Indian Princess for my birthday last week and was shocked to have the restaurant to myself. They said the number of customers was down and lunch time is dead. Its one of the only good things Margate has. I hope they dont move far.
I wish the Indian Princess ran the Harbour Cafe, with its great location.
Maybe than can convert it into a pub?
Maybe than can convert it into a pub?
Oh no - It is the best food I have ever eaten, and walking distance from my place. It would be such a shame to lose the Indian Princess I take all my visitors there. Everyone is more than impressed.
Just wish I could afford to go out to eat more often.
gale, ezekiel. A pair of fucking fools, but ezekiel is undoubtedly the winner.
Kill Margate. Tick.
Propose ways to kill Ramsgate. Tick
The demise of Broadstairs will soon be on the agenda.
Ignorant pricks.
If they can hold out for Das Kunstbunker to open they might be alright.
I hope they make it and do stay. What would we do without them? I agree with everything Katie said. They attract clientele from further afield from what I can see. We love them.
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