Cinnamon Kitchen

Went to Cinnamon Kitchen last Sat. Friendly staff, beautiful interior, superb starters and desserts, but mediocre mains. Would recommend to others.
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E.R.
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, November 30, 2009

This was my second visit and it was just as good as the first time. We had a group of six people. Everyone really enjoyed the food and the whole experience was great.

We were welcomed on arrival, coats were taken and we were shown to our table. Interesting amuse-bouche set the taste buds going for the rest of the meal. Starters and main courses were all well thought out and excellent. The combinations of flavours and ingredients were interesting and, importantly, worked together. These are dishes that the chefs have taken care over with attention to detail and getting it right. This is far from your standard Indian restaurant and a pleasant surprise. Deserts were as good as the main course.

We visited on a Friday evening and the place was quite bustling but the staff were very efficient, friendly and attentive. Food arrived in good time and was well coordinated. I like the modern, simple interior design also.
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Steve B - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, November 23, 2009

Went for the 3rd time last night. On the previous two occasions, the food was exceptional, but last night the quality of the flavours had deteriorated. They were a little understaffed as well, so we ended up paying a lot of money for mediocre food, and overstretched service. The staff tried, but they needed help. The fact that they've branded the next door bar as "Anise", so that you have to pay for a much more expensive wine menu in the restaurant, is also pretty cynical.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Thursday, October 08, 2009

I'd agree with the comment about credit crunch fever. This place was lovely, and I also took a client there. The food is lovely, cooked to how you require perfectly and I would definitely say the price reflects the quality of the dining experience.

I'd recommend for sure. Take a few friends or the partner and you're guaranteed an intimate and pleasurable evening.

As for the comments about the area being to open then too smoky? Please do not contradict yourself. If you were in ownership of such a place, (and how popular it is) you'd need the space too.
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Aisha
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, September 23, 2009

This restaurant is a gem, a client and I visited and the food and service was impeccable. I have also been to the original Cinnamon Club and although the Cinnamon Kitchen is a less formal dining experience, it really does compete very well indeed! Please do not be put off by the review below - credit crunch fever has obviously taken over there. In comparison to the many top eating houses in London, this place is up there with the best for a fraction of the price!
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James Thornton
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 15, 2009

My husband and I went here a few weeks ago. We started off in the bar and had a drink and some Garlic Naan bread with dips. Although very tasty I found the cost well over the top for the naan. Atmosphere was lacking, the bar area is just way too big and empty so all the sounds echo and makes the space feel cavernous.

We moved to the Grill and we had a starter each, an item from the Grill each and bread selection to share. We also had a glass of wine each and shared a dessert. The food was cooked to very good standard. And I do have to admit it was all very tasty.

Do not sit infront off or just to the side of the grill. Sit at the ends. It gets extremely hot and the smoke will irritate the eyes. The restaurant is again spacious and has a feeling of emptiness even when busy.

Service was attentive and very polite and I cannot fault the staff at either the bar or restaurant. But the cost of the evening was 80 pounds.

The thing that let it down was the cost. I agree with the review with Juanio. Given the economic situation we find ourselves in, if the restaurant continues with this high pricing they will lose custom. I certainly wouldn't go back in a hurry, if at all until I see a change.
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HP - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Friday, April 03, 2009

My friend and I dined here last night on the London restaurant week special menu, which turned out to be a shortened version of the a la carte one. The bar was busy when we arrived and looked fun, the space is interesting - very New York actually, although I think the room is a bit too big so you can feel a bit lost in the space.

Cocktails were expertly made with some interesting indian twists on classics such as the cinnamon cosmopolitan.

Food overall was delicious. The starter of paneer stuffed in giant chilli was lovely, especially the fresh tasting mint chutney accompaniment. Our other starter of aloo tikki (pea and potato cakes) were OK but I wasn't blown away and it's not something I'd be in a rush to try again. Mains were good, we ordered a bread basket as accompaniment but found this wasn't really necessary as they were filling enough and already came with sides. Sorbets for dessert were a cut above - fresh tasting and a perfect end to the meal.

Service was great, attentive but not intrusive. The manager made a point of making sure we were satisfied with the meal and was seen to muck in with other staff and the head chef also did a tour of the tables. They even gave us free champagne when we had to move tables!

My one complaint is that the menu is solely in english and it would be good to have the indian names of dishes on the menu too

Overall a great experience I would definitely recommend to others.
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SS - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 27, 2009

Lovely restaurant and fabulous food. Very good attentive service. I am afraid I disagree with the review immediately below as I found the service and general atmosphere to be very professional. The restaurant is also not in the slightest bit pretentious. I have been twice - once with a client during the week and once with my wife on a weekend. For a city restaurant this place appears to be busy on the weekends too which is good. Both client and wife loved it! Try the giant prawns - amazing!
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Richard
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 20, 2009

Food is the excellent and the only thing worth in this place. Desserts are just ok (seem and look sophisticated but taste is bland). Wine is way overpriced (they probably charge 3-4 times supermarket price). Ambiance is not sophisticated at all and VERY loud (even with the restaurant less than half full). Service is just ok.

Overall very good food, but everything else is not up to par. Not good value at 130 GBP dinner for two.
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Juanio
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Saturday, March 14, 2009

Five of us decided to try this new sister restaurant of Cinnamon Club for lunch. As soon as we entered Devonshire Square, we were welcome by the Christmas carol service and the open-air market selling freshly baked bread, cheeze etc., and the restaurant was located at the northwest corner with a large terrace at the entrance.

The dining room was spacious with a very high ceiling exposing the vent pipeworks, giving the place a contemporary look and feel. We were shown the table at the very back close to the grill counter - great location to admire what is happening in the restaurant. The lunch set menu was short and simple, with meat/fish/vegie choice for starter and main. A good number of side dishes were also available.

We started with the basmati rice coated croquettes on a skewer which made a flavoursome aperitif together with cinnamon and gold leaf infused bellini. I ordered pork as starter, probably the first time to try pork in an Indian restaurant, and was very pleased with my carnivorous choice: juicy, tender and delicately seasoned. My fish main didn't betray my expectation either, but the "sweet & sour rice" accompanying my friend's chicken made me curious as well as the chick pea "gnocchi" in the vegetarian option. The home-made mango sorbet with red coullis was delicious and paired well with sparkling wine. To finish, all of us followed the waiter's recommendation to order the spiced milk tea. The accompanying petit fours were an icing on the cake with a subtle Indian twist.

Not only the food and venue being excellent, all the staff were friendly and attentive without being intrusive (the maitre d' turned up at the perfect timing to ask whether everything was all right). All in all, a highly satisfying experience and will definitely come back soon.
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Anne
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 22, 2008