Cinnamon: High time we took afternoon tea with chai and samosas

Indian fine dining has enjoyed something of an Indian Summer in recent years.

The Cinnamon Club’s 2015 revamp has played a starring role in this season of spice appreciation, but if the Westminster staple is all a bit too fine for you (sat in a former library doesn’t exactly relax the senses), its younger sibling Cinnamon Soho offers the Club’s celebrated food with less of the ceremony.

The food at this Soho-based sibling comes courtesy of The Cinnamon Club’s renowned chef Vivek Singh, who is widely credited with revolutionising British perceptions of Indian cuisine. Many may yawn at the appearance of a vindaloo, but these, of course come Singh-style – Goan influenced with cheek, pickled radish and a masala mash.

If you’re looking for afternoon tea, Cinnamon Soho probably isn’t the first place you’d look, but for a teatime trip to tea’s homeland, their High Chai Afternoon Tea filled with samosas, sliders and Malabar plum cake makes for a pleasing twist.

While this is the least pocket-pinching site in the Cinnamon Collection’s repertoire, it’s worth getting there either late or early for jaw-dropping value.

For half an hour after 6pm and any time after 9.30pm, you can get a set menu of three courses and a Cinnamon Soho bellini for just £25, with a selection including a lamb Punjabi spiced tilapia fish to start and either the aforementioned vindaloo or a Kerala style boatman haddock curry to continue. They also offer a curry of the day – if it’s butter chicken, order it (that’s not a request).

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