Owner of Balans restaurants found dead at 59
By Ben Kelly
Prady Balan, whose famous restaurant brand centres on London’s gay scene in Soho, has died at the age of 59.
Balan was discovered by his son on March 15 at his home on Miami Beach. The Miami-Dade County medical examiner’s office has said he died of coronary heart disease, the Miami Herald reports.
From its start in London, Balans Restaurants has offered comfort food from all over the world. Balan expanded to seven branches in London and in 1997, he opened his first restaurant in the U.S. at Lincoln Road Mall in Miami Beach.
Balan then opened four more branches in Miami, where he also lived.
Known for its modern menu, great cocktails and friendly atmosphere, his famous restaurants is a fixture of the London gay scene, where punters can get a classy dining experience at affordable prices, and mingle with a famous face or two from the West End.
Mr Balan was well regarded among the celebrity clientele who frequent his establishments, and was a close friend of Dame Shirley Bassey. He accompanied her to the funeral of Margaret Thatcher in 2013.
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