Having heard lots of great things about the Cinnamon chain of restaurants led by Vivek SIngh, I decided to treat a visiting friend to some Indian style market food.
The main restaurant reminiscent of a market with its flamboyant manager ushering in arriving guest, whilst we sit at the entrance waiting to be seated. We are then directed upstairs to the less attractive bar space and plonked in a table directly in front of the bar.
It felt very much like the restaurants in brick lane who make sure that only it white diners are in sight of the public, something I never understand.
Opting for the seven dish menu and two items from the A la carte menu. I am impressed by the appetisers. Barley, Pomegranate & Broccoli Smoked raita, date and tamarind chutney and the chicken Haleem with sourdough toast goes down a treat.
The double cooked pork belly was delicious although the accompanying yoghurt curry was tasted like rancid milk and was left untouched .
The vegetarian dishes were extremely disappointing. The grilled aubergine was a gloopy mess covered in the sesame and nut crumble.
The side order of paneer goes part eaten, due to it’s dry texture and overpowering taste of curry leaf.
The okra curry was slightly better but not something I would order again.
Thankfully my main a tandoori Kentish lamb fared better. It’s was moist and tender, the jury’s still out on the the accompanying mint chilli korma.
The staff concerned by the amount of food that goes uneaten were quick to ask if there was a problem with the food and take note of our feedback but little gets done in the way of remedying the situation . They did however say that next time we should try the dishes of the main menu.
Service whilst very friendly, lacked attention at times , with us having to ask for water and cutlery.
The dessert of carrot halwa roll, left me questioning what we had been served. It was interesting! a carrot and dried fruit spring roll sat on what looked like tomato catchup and mustard. Thankfully it was some sort of berry coulis. The clove ice cream a saving grace.
Whilst Mr Singh is a great innovative chef, some of these dishes just try to hard to be something they are not. Indian classics funked up. Sadly it fails to hit the spot.
£118 for the set menu, roti, paneer and wine.
