Photo courtesy of JohnnySPhotography
Now in its fourth year, House of Holi at Cinnamon Kitchen is now open to the public with a purpose-built pod set up outside the restaurant in Devonshire Square where willing participants can let loose with paint throwing festivities that mark Holi, the Indian festival of colour.
Having participated in the vivid (and easily-cleaned-off-ible) messy mischief last year, I excitedly accepted an invitation to drop by for a playful press launch session and followed by a lunch previewing Chef Vivek Singh’s 2017 Holi menu.
This year’s limited-run menu includes starters such as lentil stuffed wheat bread with yoghurt, tamarind and pomegranate; spiced sea bream with green mango and coconut chutney; and tandoori chicken breast tikka with pickling spices. Mains include grilled Portobello mushroom with spinach, garlic sauce and pickled mushroom; king prawns in coconut and cardamom malai curry with ghee rice; and chargrilled fillet of lamb with Madras coconut sauce and pilau rice. Mains can be served with black lentils and garlic naan on the side. Desserts on offer feature an assortment of sweets such as fig and nutmeg kulfi, culab jamun, and coconut rice kheer.
I can attest to the prawns being a particularly scrumptious option!
Accompanying cocktails present a tasty temptations as well. I especially enjoyed sipping a Bahaan Lasso (Finlandia Vodka, violet liqueur, orgeat, and apple juice, £8) but was more than content to pair a couple of Kingfishers with my meal.
Cinnamon Kitchen’s House of Holi runs until 18 March 2017 (actual date of Holi this year is 13 March). Tickets are priced at £8 per person, or £15 per person including authentic Holi bites and either a signature Holi cocktail, a Kingfisher beer or a mocktail. Holi session plus five-course menu is priced at £38 per person. The whole “Holi pod” can be hired for groups of up to 30 for £400, including arrival cocktail and canapés.
Cinnamon Kitchen is located at 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL. Find out more at cinnamon-kitchen.com.
