London Restaurants | London Guide

Holi Holidays Menus at The Cinammon Club and Cinnamon Kitchen

London’s finest Indian restaurants, The Cinnamon Club and Cinnamon Kitchen, are celebrating the colourful Indian festival of Holi from the 14th to 19th March with vibrant tasting menus designed to delight the senses.

Celebrating the passing of winter, and the triumph of good over evil, Holi unites the whole family for mischievous merriment. Traditionally, coloured water or paint is playfully thrown by revellers at passers-by, although within the Grade II-listed home of The Cinnamon Club or the stylishly chic Cinnamon Kitchen, diners will be quite safe.

Executive chef Vivek Singh, alongside head chefs Hari Nagaraj (The Cinnamon Club) and Abdul Yaseen (Cinnamon Kitchen) have devised two menus that take diners on a sensational journey through the tastes, sights and smells of innovative, modern Indian cooking.

For just £40 per person at Cinnamon Kitchen and £50 at The Cinnamon Club, guests will begin with a zesty cocktail, before indulging in dishes that banish the bland and encapsulate the energy and spirit of Holi, one of the most fun-filled and exuberant celebrations in the Hindu calendar.

Embrace the arrival of spring and celebrate Holi at one of London’s finest Indian restaurants.
More info at:

www.cinnamonclub.com
www.cinnamon-kitchen.com

New Indian Cocktail Bar Zenna Opens

This month will see the launch of Zenna, a luxurious Indian cocktail bar on Dean Street in the midst of buzzing Soho.  

To reach the bar, guests descend steps lined with bronze water vessels filled with floating flowers and twinkling candles. The walls are painted an exotic azure blue and there are plush blue velvet stools and silk-upholstered gold chairs dotted throughout.

Decorated with Italian tiles, soft leather and Oriental rugs, Zenna has a stylish and relaxed feel with a stunning bar entirely covered in shimmering metallic discs as the centrepiece.  Low, warm lighting and discreet alcoves with exposed brickwork make it the perfect location for an intimate drink or any kind of event, being able to accommodate up to 120 people.  

Zenna’s drinks list reflects the exotic Indian décor with a unique cocktail menu using cardamom, lemongrass, ginger and sweet spices among other ingredients. Highlights include a refreshing Coriander & Lychee Daquiri with Chairman’s Reserve Rum, Fresh Lime, Lychee Juice and Coriander Leaves and a Chai Tea Martini made with fresh Chai, Stolinaycha Vodka and Apricot Brandy. 

The menu also features a unique Spiced Cocktail List, ranging from refreshing (the Mint, Lime, Apple and Elderflower Garden Martini) and lightly spiced (the Cointreau, Vodka and Chocolate Liqueur Spiced Chocolate Orange Martini) right through to incredibly spicy drinks. Only the very brave, however, need try the Illiana. Named after the mythological Indian golden dragon, it holds the title of the ‘world’s hottest cocktail’ and is a potent blend of Chairman’s Reserve Spiced Rum, Orange Curacao, Almond syrup, Lime and Orange juice with just one drop of the secret chilli potion. This cocktail is so spicy that guests must sign a waiver on ordering and it comes with its very own Fire Extinguisher accompaniment, a soda siphon containing ice cold Bombay Sapphire Gin, Lemon and Soda water to help guests fan the flames after drinking.

The Lassi Menu, which will be available throughout the day as well as in the evening, is another unique feature of Zenna, and is the first ever lassi bar in London. Lassis are fresh yoghurt drinks enjoyed throughout India, and are served sweet with fruit or sugars, or savoury with salt or spices. Zero-fat and probiotic, they are a great fresh alternative to other smoothies and soft drinks. The menu at Zenna includes a range of lassis blended to order from Banana, Coconut, Mango Ginger & Lemongrass and even a Superfruits option with blueberries, pomegranate, raspberry and acai. For those who like to detox / retox, all lassis can be blended as alcoholic versions on request.

Snacks and canapés are created to complement the drink menu and are cooked to order from The Red Fort kitchen, headed up by Chef Azadur and his team, whose unique blend of Mughal Court cooking has attracted politicians, entrepreneurs and celebrities alike over the years.  Delicacies include Hara Kebab spinach patties lightly filled with cheddar, onion and coriander, Pocha Hera Jhinga prawns in a thin crisp coating and Murgh Achari Tikka, skewered spicy chicken from the tandoor. 

Dan Thomson, Manager of Zenna, comments: “We wanted to create a contemporary bar that was still true to its Indian heritage and provide a chic and welcoming space in the midst of Soho. Zenna Bar is London’s first ever Indian cocktail bar and the carefully thought through flavours, recipes and ingredients used in the drinks list, as well as the authentic canapés make it a unique offering in the capital.”

Zenna Bar77 Dean StreetLondon W1D 3SH
Tel: 020 7437 2525             

Web: www.zenna-bar.co.uk

 

New Christmas Menus at Dishoom

Dishoom, London’s first Bombay café, is delighted to announce it has opened its lower ground floor, introducing a dedicated bar and lounge area and effectively doubling the venue’s size, making it perfect for group bookings over the festive period.

The lower ground floor has large booths that seat between 8 and 12 people, and free-standing seating that can accommodate groups of up to 30. All areas downstairs can be reserved, and the whole space is also available to hire, with a total seated capacity of 70 making it perfect for larger Christmas get-togethers.

And just in time for the season, Dishoom has launched a collection of four sharing set menus for groups, offering varying cross-sections of its award-winning Bombay food, at £20 per person, £25, £30 and a veritable banquet available at £35 per head. Each set menu offer diners a choice of Dishoom’s signature dishes, including small plates, roti, grills, House Daal, Biryanis and Ruby Murrays – all perfect for sharing – accompaniments and pudding.

There are special seasonal additions to the regular menu too. Turkey Raan heads the Christmas menu – a whole turkey leg cooked in the traditional Raan style over the course of a whole day but with the fresh flavours of ginger, lime and chilli, served with roast Bombay potatoes, masala winter greens and spiced cranberry chutney. For dessert, chilli mince pies or Christmas pud parcels – accompanied by a warming jaggery and garam masala-spiced custard.

The bar area allows drinkers to watch Dishoom’s bartenders at work and to have a Christmas aperitif before they sit down for dinner, or simply to get a taste for Dishoom by sampling some of its small plates alongside a cocktail.

Dishoom’s drinks menu has been compiled by Gorgeous Group, the high profile hospitality consultancy known for its work with international hotel groups (Gorgeous is also a partner in Dishoom). Three seasonal tipples are on offer: Spiced Cranberry Sour, made from bourbon, muddled cranberries and ground spices; Winter Chai, with Hennessey cognac complementing Dishoom’s homemade chai; and Hill-Station Wine, a Bombay take on traditional mulled wine.

Already popular for the colder weather is Dishoom’s hot toddy – Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky with warm Darjeeling tea and fresh citrus.

The lower ground floor is decorated in the same style as the ground floor, with a collection of eclectic Bombay artwork and classic Bombay café references, as part of a contemporary interior designed by Afroditi Krassa.

Dishoom
12 Upper St. Martin's Lane
London WC2H 9FB
Tel: 020 7420 9320
www.dishoom.com

Family feast out at newly launched Sitaaray Sundays

Sitaaray, one of the capital’s most unique Indian dining concepts, featuring delectable dishes against the colourful backdrop of Bollywood, has launched Sitaaray Sundays.

Providing an irresistible day out for families or groups of friends, Sitaaray Sundays presents a special Sunday Brunch unlimited menu for just £22.95 per adult, with children under 12 eating for free! And if that wasn’t value enough, families can enjoy free parking at the neighbouring NCP Car Park. 

Choose from a selection of meat, fish and vegetarian kababs before exploring a variety of well-known and authentic curries. At Sitaaray, every dish on the menu is marinated or infused with fresh herbs and spices, grilled and then brought fresh to the table by the experienced chefs. The mouth-watering dishes featured on the menu include Malai Chicken Tikka (Creamy cheesy cardamom flavored chicken morsels); Adraki Paneer Tikka (Grilled Indian cottage cheese spiced with ginger and green chillies); and Dal Makhni (Buttery black lentils simmered overnight, finished with tomatoes, ginger & cream). These will be served at diners’ tables along with a selection of popaddams, chutneys, salads and accompaniments including fresh Naan, Parantha and Peshawari Naan. 

Enjoy a lazy brunch with family or friends from 1.00pm all the way till 8.00pm at Sitaaray and don’t miss taking the kids to see the wonderful performers and bustling street markets that Covent Garden has to offer. To add an extra special touch to the Sitaaray experience of Indian culture, families will be entertained by the restaurant’s very own talented magician! Diners can also benefit from free car parking as Sitaaray is offering guests up to four hours complimentary parking at NCP Drury Lane (entrance from Parker Street) when dining on Sundays, allowing for plenty of time to enjoy lunch then experience all the wonders of Covent Garden. 

Located in the heart of London’s Theatreland on Drury Lane, Sitaaray (Hindi for ‘stars’), combines the very best of authentic Indian cuisine while celebrating India’s other great export – its cinema. The restaurant is set against a stunning cinematic background, celebrating 75 years of Indian cinema. Sitaaray’s colourful décor is dominated by posters and photographs of film legends from Indian movies. Diners can enjoy iconic Bollywood song and dance sequences during dinner as they are played on screens all around the split level restaurant. 

Website: www.sitaaray.com
Address: 167 Drury Lane Covent Garden, London WC2B 5PG
Tel: 020 7269 6422

Chor Bizarre in Mayfair Celebrates South India Food Festival

One of London’s leading Indian fine dining experiences, Chor Bizarre has been showcasing the great culinary heritage of the Indian subcontinent for over a decade and now presents the essence of South Indian flavours.

The unmissable South India Food Festival will run at the superb Indian eaterie from 10th – 30th November 2010. 

The South of India is known for its varied styles of cooking, which will be showcased at the upcoming food festival – a must for connoisseurs and fans of Indian cuisine at its authentic best.

The well researched menu with variations for Lunch and Dinner will include Kerala’s famous Avial of Winter Vegetables and Appams with Chicken Stew; Hyderabadi Mirchi, Beans and  Mushroom ka Salan; Goa’s finger licking Coconut and Coriander crusted Prawns; Tamil Nadu’s renowned Chettinad Lamb chops; and Karnataka’s popular Sea Bass Nilgiri as well as Mysore Masala Dosa. The Carrot, Raisins and Chestnut Payasam from Andhra Pradesh with other desserts will add the perfect finishing touch! 

Located on up-market Albemarle Street, Mayfair, Chor Bizarre-India’s Restaurant captures the spirit and flavor of the infamous Chor Bazaar or ‘Thieves Market’ of South Mumbai within its kaleidoscopic interiors and is dedicated to serving authentic Indian cuisine at its indulgent best in a unique atmosphere. 

The resplendent furnishings and décor were collected from various bazaars in India and have been creatively arranged so as to inspire diners to venture beyond their immediate and uniquely decorated surrounds and explore the wealth of objets d’art displayed in each corner of the restaurant - just like the bazaar to which it owes its name. 

As with the décor, Chor Bizarre has collected favourite recipes from different parts of the country to form a menu that is rich, diverse and pragmatic. Acclaimed wine expert, Charles Metcalfe, has collaborated with Head Chef, Manpreet Ahuja, and together they have produced wine matches for each of the dishes on the menu.

 Experience the enchanting and varied cuisines of Southern India as Chor Bizarre presents the South India Food Festival from 10th – 30th November 2010. 

Website: www.chorbizarre.com
Address: 16 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4HW.  
Tel: 020 7629 9802

Kids Eat Free at Blue Junction for Diwali

Blue Junction, one of Morden's most popular restaurants, has a kids eat and drink free promotion running from 4th to 7th November.

Blue Junction also has a long standing happy hour every day from 3pm-7pm when drinks are half price.