By Josh Barrie
Copyright standard
One of London’s most popular Indian restaurants has been lumbered with a hygiene rating of 0/5 since May this year, while another in the group has a 2.
Masala Zone in Soho was hit with the rating by Westminster Council, which was also the authority behind the inspection of the Covent Garden restaurant that was issued with a 2/5 in November.
Masala Zone’s other two restaurants, in Piccadilly Circus and Earl’s Court, fare far better, with a rating of 5/5 and 4/5 respectively.
A hygiene rating of 0 equates to “urgent improvement necessary”, while a 2 means “improvement necessary”. Inspectors look out for hygienic food handling, cleanliness of the building, and food safety management.
Owner Ranjit Mathrani told the Standard that the 0/5 rating was a “most unfortunate situation” and said action was taken immediately after the inspection. Mathrani is also the owner of Veeraswamy, London’s oldest Indian restaurant, which is presently facing closure as the Crown Estate looks to take over its site.
He said the group applied for another inspection as soon as Westminster Council would allow and is currently awaiting an update.
Mathrani also shared a document from an external auditor, paid for by the company, which found the Soho restaurant to be in good condition upon a more recent inspection.
“As you appreciate it is very unfortunate that our impeccable hygiene rankings have been affected,” he said in an email. “All the teams are working the extra mile in all the restaurants to ensure it never happens again.”
Masala Zone, which has branches in Soho, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Earl’s Court, is one of the city’s best known Indian restaurant groups, specialising in affordable Indian food. Dishes include thalis, biryanis and meats cooked in the tandoor.
The first branch opened in Soho in 2001 and has earned high praise from restaurant critics and visitors since. The sites in Covent Garden and Piccadilly are particular popular with tourists.
The Standard contacted Westminster Council for further insight into its health inspections and is waiting for a response.
Various locations, masalazone.com
