Tag Archives: Indian

Cinnamon Soho

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Cinnamon Soho is ideally situated for Carnaby Street shoppers in need of sustenance. I was surprised to find the atmosphere and mood very different to Cinnamon Kitchen which I visited a while back near Liverpool Street. This boutique restaurant is cosy and intimate, perfect for catching up with a friend, or enjoying a quiet relaxed meal. Posh Indian food seems to be growing in popularity at impressive speed. The Cinnamon restaurants offer high quality food without the pretentious dining style, they seem to have got the balance just right.

We ordered a selection of small dishes to start, petite plates attractively presented, all smelling divine… Naanza, an Indian pizza, this sounds bizarre but was surprisingly yummy, a thin doughy base topped with delicious spicy vegetables and cheese. Burnt chilli Indo-Chinese stir-fried chicken was my absolute favourite, intensely flavoured moreish marinated meat with soft pieces of pepper… it was too spicy for me and yet so delicious I couldn’t stop eating it. The only disappointment was the Roasted Aubergine chutney and carom seed ‘mathri’ – it was a bit bland, and the dip was a strange murky green colour, not very appealing or tasty.

CS offers a select menu of signature and classic cocktails, all appropriately influenced by Indian flavours and ingredients. We chose two of the most extravagant sounding concoctions: ‘Burning with Passion’ (vodka over proof rum, orange juice, passion fruit and strawberry puree) was suggested by our waitress and the light ‘Bhangra Bubbles’ (Rum, Chambord, homemade spiced syrup and champagne). They were very different drinks, the Burning with Passion is a long fruity drink, arriving spectacularly aflame and sparkling, Bhangra Bubbles is very sophisticated, a subtly flavoured glass of champagne.

Mains were sublime, we shared the Old Delhi-style black leg fenugreek chicken and Smoked saddle of Cumbrian lamb with spiced onion sauce. The lamb was beautifully cooked and spiced, we loved it so much we were fighting over the final slice of tender meat. The sauce was creamy and sweet and complemented the lamb well. The chicken reminded me at once of a cross between tandoori and tikka masala, a crispy spicy piece of chicken with a tomato based sauce. This was a comforting and filling dish, a lovely recipe especially when paired with the fragrant pilau rice. Perfectly thin and crispy naan, lightly brushed with garlic oil was the ideal ‘mopper–upper’ for the remnants of the addictive sauces.

Both desserts were amazing… an exotic Mango and cardamom crème brulee was thick and mousse-like, delicately flavoured with cardamom spice. My homemade sorbets were wonderfully refreshing, the peach flavour was lovely but it was the Pina colada boule that really excited me, a drink that I usually don’t even like turned into a sensationally sweet and coconutty sorbet.

If you like Indian food you will love Cinnamon Soho, delicious dishes created with flair and style, I was impressed.

More information here: http://www.cinnamon-kitchen.com/soho-home

Carom and Floridita, Soho

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I have always wondered what the huge, flashy venue at 100 Wardour Street has to offer… yet another of Soho’s fabulous foodie havens for feasting and flirting. This chic venue is home to D&D restaurants Carom and Floridita. I sensed a bit of rivalry between the two floors, Indian vs. Cuban and Gin vs. Rum. The whole venue has a fun vibe: bright lights and lots of chatter. Tony upstairs made us exquisite martinis while the mixologists in Floridita stunned us with unusual Rum based treats.

Previously I have heard fellow cocktail lovers mention the legendary drinks at Floridita, who specialise in Rum based mixology… but I knew nothing of Carom the Indian eatery. Up market Indian restaurants seem to be thriving in the city, curry worshippers are no longer satisfied with their local takeaway, seeking a fresher, healthier and more vibrant version of this delicious cuisine.

As always, I let my eyes do the ordering which resulted in an epic assortment of aromatic dishes. We went with the manager’s recommendations, which was definitely wise as everything tasted authentic and delicious. To start, we both favoured the Chicken ‘Malai Tikka,’ wonderfully marinated, tender meat… dangerously moreish thanks to the garlic and cheese. We were slightly bemused by the accompanying moss green dip which was served with nearly every starter! The Satay tasted good, though unconventional, the dish substituted my favourite peanut sauce with Chilli & Mango Chutney which disappointed me a little. Rich Paneer Tikka and Vegetable Potli Parcels are both good veggie friendly choices, filling and utterly delicious. I’m not a fan of seafood but my friend enjoyed the Crispy Fried Chilli Squid, a generous portion stacked high and served with coriander dip. Crisp white wine was discreetly topped up while we concentrated on the array of food.

The mains were a continuation of the flavoursome sensory overload: bright, beautifully seasoned dishes of every kind. Head chef Balaji Balachander has created a menu of innovative dishes, authentic in style and exceptional in taste… I was very impressed. This course was a festival of flavours and colour. The lamb was the clear winner for me, the Lamb ‘Tawa Masala’ Chops, is a Carom Specialty and has garnered popularity for good reason. The taste is so rich and intense, I couldn’t resist coming back to scrape the bowl again and again. The Chennai Chicken Curry is a home delicacy – buttery, creamy and comforting, it is a mild recipe perfect for all palates. Salad, Garlic Naan, Raita and delicious crispy rice provided plenty of variety and contrast to the meal.

We managed, just to squeeze in a few mouthfuls of dessert, the Lychee Sorbet is light and sensational and an absolute must try. The Mango and Cardamom Crème Brulee with Raspberry Sorbet is an original take on the classic French dessert, but is nothing special.

Downstairs in the ‘Cathedral of Cocktails’ the party continues, ideal for a quick drink or as an all night hang out. Floridita is both kitsch and supercool, a Jazz blues band entertained us with contagious tunes and glamorous rum based cocktails fuelled my addiction to this Cuban vibe. Visitors sit round individual round tables in a cabaret layout… it encourages intimacy and a buzzing atmosphere. Our enthusiastic waitress insisted we try the more unusual drinks on the menu, I was only too happy to oblige as the endless choice is intoxicating. Any and every variety of rum cocktail is possible at Floridita, but Dacquiris are a real speciality. I tried the No.2 with Havana Club Anejo 3yrs shaken with fresh lime and orange juice, sugar syrup and a hint of orange Curacao, it was perfectly mixed and served, strong but sensual and completely delicious. The Mai Tai is a good choice for guys not experienced in cocktail sipping – a strong blend of flavours with a kick from the lime. We also tried the Fog Cutter and Rum Crusta, which you have to ask for, as you won’t find them on the menu.

The exotic world of Carom and Floridita offers escapism from the grey streets of London… here you will find the best cocktails, innovative and appetising food and a welcome that ensures everyone has a good time.

Visit the websites for Carom and Floridita for more information.

Bombay Brasserie, Gloucester Road

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A decent takeaway is easy to find in London, but if you’re after finer Indian cuisine it is difficult to know where to look and what to look for.

Bombay Brasserie is blissfully close to my office in South Kensington, located opposite Gloucester Road station. I had heard good things about this eatery – opened in 1982, it has aimed to provide London with authentic Indian, specifically Bombay, cuisine. The stylish restaurant attracts a crowd of celebrities and politians.

“Bombay (now known as Mumbai) brought Indians from all over the country together, making the cuisine unique to the city. The menu at Bombay Brasserie reflects the cultural diversity of Bombay, with influences from Parsi, Goan, Bengali, Gujerati, as well as the Portuguese and Raj. The dishes on the menu today have been served on the tables of past Mughal Emperors and the spice traders of Goa. Like the city itself, Bombay Brasserie has grown. 30 years since it first opened its doors, the mission is the same – to bring authentic Bombay Cuisine not only to London and Londoners, but its guest from all corners of the globe.”

For both starter and main, the knowledgeable waiter chose us a selection of the most popular dishes to try. This ensured the meal was well balanced with a choice of  vegetarian, meat and fish dishes, showing off the restaurant’s versatility. We were offered wine and were keen to taste a bottle of an Indian variety. The Sula Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 was absolutely divine, a light and dry white which accompanied both courses well. Perhaps now I will try Indian wine a little more often, though I can’t remember ever seeing the choice on a wine list before.

Our favourite member of staff was the characterful barman who prepared us bespoke cocktails. My friend was losing his voice so received a particularly delicious warm and smooth short drink. The secretive waiter eventually succumbed to our begging and disclosed the crucial ingredients: Brandy, sweetening and fresh lime. I opted for a sweet and tropical tasting lychee martini. Accompanying the cocktails were dangerously moreish crunchy, salty snacks…  the type of thing you don’t intend to eat but end up polishing off very quickly.

The star dish for me was, without a doubt, the Palak Patta Chaat (Crispy fried baby spinach, yoghurt, and date chutney). It was insanely yummy and creatively made, unlike anything I have ever tried before. The spinach leaves are battered and dipped briefly in extra hot oil so although fried are left light and unoily. The Chicken Tikka Kalimiri, cooked in the ‘Tandoor’ was very tender and seasoned with cracked black pepper and the Batter fried spicy Prawn Tokri, though a scary shade of luminous orange, tasted delicious.

For mains, a series of small bowls arrived… I still can’t believe we managed to finish it all. Miraculously, unlike cheaper Indian food, BB’s offerings are light and lean, with much less fat. Classic curries, Chicken Tikka Makhani and Lamb Rogan Josh were full of flavour and beautifully seasoned to taste. I especially liked the Tikka Makhani which was similar to butter chicken but with a richer slightly spicier essence. I was surprised to find I liked the Lasooni Palak (Sauteed spinach with golden fried garlic) – this dish looked like the very worst kind of baby grub but had a magically sensual flavour and smelt wonderful too. Aloo Katliyan spiced potatoes and fluffy basmati rice were lovely accompaniments to the creamy meat curries. Most people have a regular favourite dish (mine is currently Lamb Rogan Josh… though I must admit I like Korma too) at Bombay Brasserie it is easy to get distracted… the dishes are all unique and interested and I was tempted to choose something completely new.

Before dessert I had time to enjoy the end of the wine and observe the restaurant around me. The space is huge and spacious, quite palatial with an attractive sunset mural on one wall. The diners seemed to be mostly regulars, enthusiastic eaters relaxing and reminiscing while tucking into their favourite Indian dishes.

We were baffled by the variety of desserts, our kind waiter brought us a selection to save us from attempting to choose just two! Needless to say, the table was filled with colourful pretty puddings. The raspberry chocolate torte was rether too dense and rich to enjoy after curry which was a shame as it looked amazing. Mango Fig Ice-cream was homemade and tangy, more of a sorbet alternative to the fresh fruit. I thought the Masala Tea Brulee with sesame tuile ginger honey cream and pineapple sorbet was the best of the desserts we tried – it was very unusual with a hint of masala tea but actually worked quite well. The brulee was a good consistency, creamy and sweet with a thin layer of caramelised sugar on top.

No Indian meal would be complete without the customary tea, we tried the Masala Chai and the Black Chinese Ginger and Peach Tea.

The courteous and accommodating service at Bombay Brasserie made our experience enjoyable from start to finish. If you like Indian food, but are fed up with takeaways, this is the restaurant for you. I will definitely be revisiting.

Visit the Bombay Brasserie website here for more information.