Modern Indian dining at the Cinnamon Club
Culture and spice and all things nice… There was definitely something in the air for the Gentlemen’s Luncheon Club (GLC) trip to the Cinnamon Club at the Old Westminster Library. The venue was chosen to add some ‘modern Indian dining’ to our list of GLC experiences.
Set in the historic Westminster library, this grade II listed building is a stunning backdrop to the restaurant. Even at street level, you can’t help but be impressed by the grandiose entrance leading into a generously staffed reception area and impeccable greeting.
We started the evening in the ground floor bar, a colonial feel lounge with wooden floors and comfy seats. The other option would have been the trendy cocktail bar in the basement, but our mood was firmly set on some pre-curry beers in the more ‘gentlemanly’ atmosphere.
Following our attempt to spend the entire budget on bottles of continental lager, we were soon collected and led through two sets of large, wooden, glass doors to our table in the middle of the dining room. The room itself is worthy of note. It’s a pleasing square with wooden floors, pristine white tablecloths and a mezzanine second floor running around the outside of the room, containing wall-to-wall books from the old library. The Cinnamon Club really does feel quite special and in this environment we decided to go straight for the tasting menu.
The tasting menu at the Cinnamon Club
The meal started with soft shell crab. It was wonderfully delicate and tasty; a good size portion too. The next dish was a tandoori breast of pigeon that had a deeply spiced flavour, complimenting the gamey taste of the pigeon. Baked prawns followed along with a mint sorbet to clear the palate in time for the saddle of Cumbrian wild red deer that was simply sensational. We wrapped up the evening with a white chocolate mouse and garam masala parfait.
It’s worth noting our little food club didn’t hold back on the wine either and we managed to run up a bill of £1,200 for six! Feeling very satisfied and slightly perturbed by the price of the meal, we left the Cinnamon Club for our post curry decompression.
The Cinnamon Club
The Old Westminster Library
30-32 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BU
020 7222 2555
We spent: £200 p.p.
Nearest Tube: St. James’s Park
Cinnamon Kitchen: The Cookbook by Vivek Singh
Full of stunning photography and Indian fusion recipes adapted for you to have the full Cinnamon Club experience at home.
4 Comments
Are you not into dish photography Gary? Would be good to see the food (though I admit I often forget myself in the excitement of the moment).
In a similar vein to this “modern Indian” style I can recommend Babur in Honor Oak Park. Somewhat random location but , you know, if you’re ever in that area…
In all fairness I’m filling in the back
catalogue of 12 restaurants, and we didn’t take any photography at the time. Check
out the latter reviews like the Duck and Waffle and the upcoming reviews for
Dinner and Corrigan’s, they’ll have more detail. . .
Excellent venue for groups, business meeting and couples. Went there fiurst for a business meeting which was hosted and thoroughly enjoyed. Second visit was with my partner on the occassion of our second anniversary. Simply Indian where you can actually taste the flavours of each ingredient.
Love the whole Modern Indian concept in the old westminster Library near London eye, house of parliament and westminster abbey. That makes it perfect location for tourists.
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