Cinnamon Kitchen

After 5 + City Pig’s summary

Snapshot
Cuisine/Speciality:	Indian
Price:	£30 for three courses on the Toptable deal. Normally averages about £35-40.
Healthy:	·         Healthy scale 3.5/5 Modern Indian cooking – lighter dishes.
Tasty:	·         3/5 – Food ·         4/5 – Service ·         4/5 – Comfort of dining in ·         3/5 - Value ·         3/5 – Overall rating
Occasion:	·         Business dining ·         After work dining
Address:	9 Devonshire Square, London, EC2M4YL (Liverpool Street tube station)
Opening times	Monday to Friday: 12pm -2:45pm and Monday to Saturday: 6pm-10:45pm.
Eat in/Takeaway:	Eat-in
Recommended dishes & drinks	·         No particular recommendations.
Vegetarian dishes	Suitable for Vegetarians.
Loyalty card	No.
Website	http://www.cinnamon-kitchen.com/

 

After 5 + City Pig’s analysis

 

I was invited to go to Cinnamon Kitchen with a few friends as there was a Toptable deal for £30 for 3 courses.

I knew that the cuisine would be modern Indian cuisine but had no other expectations. As we entered the restaurant were greeted by two polite ladies.

The service was efficient and polite throughout the whole meal. Although, my friend had his main course delayed due to some mistake on presentation caused by the waiter somehow. Nevertheless, it showed how they were cautious of high standards and was very apologetic.

The Toptable deal is limited but I was happy to sample the grilled chicken vindaloo with papaya salad for starters and a roasted seabass for my main. If you are looking for rich flavours then I think you may dislike the style here. It is definitely on the lighter and healthier side of Indian cooking - the modern way.

The dishes are presented beautifully and emphasis can this can be seen with each dish.

I was impressed how well the fish was cooked with the Indian spices in the lentil salad. The chicken skewers were satisfying. I was a bit disappointed with the dessert options on the Toptable deal. It was either fruit or a mousse with pomegranate. However, the mousse was not as smooth as I anticipated it should be. However, there were nicer desserts on the al la carte which we were lucky to be given one from Vivek Singh the chef and owner. I think this was the pistachio cake with clotted cream ice cream. This was really amazing and highly recommended.

Overall, the experience was enjoyable and Vivek Singh came to speak to us which was a pleasant surprise. I recommend coming here and you will be pleasantly surprised how friendly the service is and the quality of the food.

 

Chipotle - Angel branch

 

After 5 + City Pig’s summary

Snapshot
Cuisine/Speciality:	Mexican
Price:	From £6.50 for a burrito.
Healthy:	·         Healthy scale 4/5 Ingredients such as beans, avocado and salad in the wrap – makes this extra healthy.
Tasty:	·         2.5/5 – Food ·         2.5/5 – Service ·         2/5 – Comfort of dining in ·         3/5 - Value ·         2.5/5 – Overall rating
Occasion:	·         Quick eats ·         Casual dining ·         Casual lunch
Address:	334 Upper Street, London
Opening times	Mon to Sun – 11am to 10pm.
Eat in/Takeaway:	Eat-in and take-away.
Recommended dishes & drinks	·         No particular recommendations.
Vegetarian dishes	Suitable for Vegetarians.
Loyalty card	No.
Website	http://www.chipotle.com/

After 5 + City Pig’s analysis

The burrito boom was so last year but our taste for these Mexican delights just seems to keep going. I heard good things about Chipotle and seeing them have a few branches across the city, I presume they are good quality.

I strolled into the Angel branch and ordered a steak burrito. While ordering, you move along the counter while the staff there asks you whether you want black beans or pinto, cheese and salsa dressing etc.

By then, the burrito is a big beast with rice and beans wrapped firmly and tucked under the foil wrapper.

It looked promising, but after a few bites I was disappointed that I didn’t get the moreish taste – the steak was plain and unsatisfying. I was expected a tender and marinated taste.

I was told that the Baker street branch was better and perhaps the steak was not the best choice. On the upside, it is filling and will keep you going on these cold days.

It can be rather messy as the filling and sauce drips after every bite which I found but that might just be me.

The problem with branches is that, consistency is hard to maintain and I may have just experienced this. I might give it another go but at a different branch to see if there is a difference in taste.

So far I still rate highly Poncho no 8 for very good tasting burritos.

 

 

 

Shoryu Ramen

After 5 + City Pig’s summary

Snapshot
Cuisine/Speciality:	Japanese ramen noodles
Price:	From £8 a bowl of noodles.
Healthy:	·         Healthy scale 4/5 Freshly brewed stock with no added MSG.
Tasty:	·         4.5/5 – Food ·         3.5/5 – Service ·         4/5 - Value ·         4.5/5 – Overall rating
Occasion:	·         Quick eats ·         Casual dining ·         Ramen lovers
Address:	9 Regent Street, SW1Y 4LR
Opening times	Mon to Sat 11am-3:30pm; 5pm to 11pm; Sundays and bank holidays close at 10pm. Nearest tube: Picadilly Circus.
Eat in/Takeaway:	Eat-in.
Recommended dishes & drinks	·         Pick any of the ramen noodles. ·         Soft shell crab. ·         Pick the different types of teas like soba cha or go for a plum wine.
Vegetarian dishes	Suitable for Vegetarians only on side dishes as all ramen stock contains pork.
Loyalty card	No.
Website	http://www.shoryuramen.com/
Notes	One of the best ramen noodle restaurant I have been to in London. I have long to find one in London that actually does good quality ramen. This is a must visit for ramen lovers. There is an interesting range of ramen noodles and sides to choose from. Highly authentic and excellent tea range to complement.

 

After 5 + City Pig’s analysis

For those that have kept up with the latest restaurant openings, would have realised that three was a surge of ramen joints opening in the last quarter of the year.

I was highly excited to be able to try some authentic ramen noodles which are usually poorly imitated in London.

Shoryu ramen brings exactly this – authentic Japanese ramen noodles. The stock of the tonkotsu is bursting with flavour but is not too thick or thin. I tried the Shoryu tonkotsu which has the miso added into the pork broth. The pork is tender and still delicious in taste. The noodles are firm and not too soft. All the flavours come together as you take a bite and slurp some soup.

The portion is fairly generous and I had noticed I was very full compared with the other competitors I have tried. The soup given, is enough to cover the ramen noodles.

There are some different and interesting sides but I could not try any tofu that day as they had ran out. However, the soft shell crab was crisp, crunchy and sweet. The gyozas were a bit disappointing as it was soft and soggy inside. I would not recommend having this. However, the wakame salad was fresh and refreshing.

The owners obviously wanted to bring as much Japanese culture as possible, as you walk in you will be greeted loudly with welcome in Japanese (irrashiaimase) and a loud gong noise. I found this quite amusing and gives the restaurant some character which can often be lacking in Asian restaurants.

This is a small ramen restaurant and no bookings allowed so get here early to avoid waiting. Overall, I highly recommend and will be coming here again for sure.