When pukkabar was forced to close in Barnes, south-west London, in August 2002 because restaurateur Trevor Gulliver and the landlords could not agree on a new rent, curry fanatics – of whom there are plenty worldwide – were upset and disappointed.
One, a wealthy American who made a pilgrimage to Barnes whenever he came to London, even took the trouble to contact Gulliver to offer some form of financial assistance that would allow the restaurant to re-open.
The six-month curry drought is now over as pukkabar has resurfaced in what was The Black Truffle in Primrose Hill, London NW1, a striking example of how chance encounters can produce results.
Gulliver, without actively looking for a new site, was having lunch with Bijan Behzadi, founder of the Red Pepper group, whose fairly priced and cleverly named restaurants – The Red Pepper, The White Onion, The Purple Sage and The Black Truffle – have lost their way over the past 18 months due to over-expansion, weak management and the overcrowding of the middle-priced restaurant market. The possibility of pukkabar's replacing The Black Truffle was mooted and quickly became a reality.
As in its Barnes' incarnation, pukkabar opens for dinner only (seven days a week) and its combination of great curry, an excellent neighbourhood location – admittedly far more convenient for those in north rather than south London today – plus the same kitchen brigade should ensure that London's curry lovers are happy once again.
pukkabar, 40 Chalcot Street, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8LS, tel 020 7483 0077, email pukkabar@aol.com