Cinnamon Kitchen

It struck me as I walked in to Devonshire Square that those who work near it and are fortunate enough to take long lunches must be pretty lucky to have a duo of restaurants such as this on their doorstep. As you walk in to Cinnamon Kitchen itself, your instantly hit with clean and crisp architecture and intense greyscale interiors. There's no overkill here and not a chance of sighting the once infamous flock wallpaper of yesteryear Indian eateries'.

Service is speedy without being overly fussy and waiters have clearly read the menu before service starts, which is always helpful. Those who look for the essence of India and are often cynical about contemporary Indian venues such as this, will not be disappointed. Age old herb and spice combinations are present in dishes and milled to perfection and there isn't a chance of bland and watered down recipes in this place. However the dishes can be described instead as damn hot and spicy!

Now i'm Indian by origin but not very good at handling heat on my plate (which is apparently ironic, but I don't think so), so am probably not the best person to measure the heat of the food at Cinnamon Kitchen in isolation. However, by my partners account (he can handle a hot in Nando's with extra hot sauce on top) and by the fact that I was gulping water at a speed olympic atheletes can only dream of running, we determined that it was just too spicy. As a diner you often say to yourself -maybe it was what I ordered-but the dishes chosen were a simple potato cake starter and a malabar fish curry, which I've had before and know it to be mild-medium. I did make it to dessert (just) and enjoyed a few bites of what was a very cooling fresh and tangy trio of sorbets, before we left homeward bound (where I rushed into the bathroom for some much needed gaviscon).

Note to diners: Go by all means, as both the venue itself and the quality of the food is respectable. Just take a fire extinguisher with you – just in case… More

This new Indian beacon in the peaceful surrounds of Devonshire Square makes the most of its heritage sight – it's a nice contemporary spin on a historical warehouse setting. I loved the elliptical lampshades whose light softens the setting's harder edges. Currently there's lots of space between tables and the user-friendly menu reflects rather than duplicates the Westminster template, but despite a relatively tight set of options I found them all appealing.

Excellent flavours, nice spicing, lots of wider Asian influences. Loved the aubergine dish, above. Look forward to trying the tandoor bar.