The Cinnamon Club

Never mind it being one of London’s top modern Indians, The Cinnamon Club is one of the capital’s most reliable restaurants, in all categories. ‘Always excellent’, its ‘outstanding cuisine’, ‘wonderful wine list’ & ‘amazing environment’ never disappoint readers. The Old Westminster library provides an atmospheric backdrop at any time of day but, unusually for an Indian, this place is best for lunch, when it attracts a Who’s Who of the area’s media, business & political crowd. With light set menu options complementing the regular à la carte, this is also when the kitchen offers the most wide-ranging food choice – a delicate organic salmon carpaccio with onion seeds & horseradish raita or a richer tandoori duck with quince chutney – or one of the exceptional game specialities: curried grouse or roast saddle of venison, say. Alternatively, splash out with one of the tasting menus, complete with expertly paired wines. Innovative desserts, such as batter-fried rice pudding with chilli-spiked grilled pineapple & spiced ice-cream, provide a memorable ending.

Wine List: This constantly innovative selection has evolved even further with the addition of by-the-glass saké suggestions & accompanying tasting notes. The wines themselves are divided stylistically within each country – a great help when matching them to food – & there’s a fine range of juicy reds & fragrant whites to take on the spicy flavours. Be sure to take advice from the sommelier team, which really knows its stuff. Best Buy White 2003 Saumur Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Langlois-Château, Loire Valley, France, £31. Best Buy Red 2004 Innocent Bystander Sangiovese/Merlot, Victoria, Australia, £29.