LCB

Introduction

6 months after my move from Tooting to Wallington and my curry consumption has sadly dropped off. There's often a cyclical decline over summer as barbecues take precendence, but this year has been particularly fallow. So, as the leaves brown and fall, it's time I upped my game, starting with another tick on the local Wallington list; this time, the quaintly named Cinnamon Cottage.

Venue

One of several south Asian eateries on the western end of Stafford Road, Cinnamon Cottage stands out for its bright lime green sign on a black fronted background. Otherwise, the wooden hoardings outside have seen better days, and are hardly an invitation for al fresco dining given the drab, roadside surrounds, even with the fake green hedge along the shop front.

Inside is far nicer, fairly well decked out, and with turqoise blue booth seating that offer a sense of private dining in what is essentially a rather small space. On this ocassion we didn't need it, as we were the only diners anyway - a worrying sign for 7pm on a Friday.

TV screens showing films of Indian ocean paradise islands added more life and vibrancy to the otherwise quiet surrounds.

6/10

Sides and starters

Poppadom Mix

Paneer Tikka

Harabara Kebabs 

Tandoori Roti

Garlic Naan

A few Cobras from the licensed bar and a poppadom mix whet our appetite. Even though the 'mix' was just two poppadoms, the chutnies were decent and set the tone for the excellent paneer tikka and good harabara kebabs. 

The paneer tikka (much preferred at LCB over chilli paneer) was executed to perfection - balancing cheesy meltiness and spicy char. The square pieces were generous in size too and accompanied by a cooling mint dip.

The harabara kebabs - four brown fried vegetable croquettes - were not as visually arresting, but had a uniquely sweet and sour seasoning, that proved a worthy bite.

With the mains we then chose roti and garlic naan, neither casuing any great stir, but rounded off a decent showing of Starters & Sides

7/10

Curry

Chicken Chukka

Gongura Mutton

The curries continued the good food vibes with two iterations new to me - the chukka and gongura. 

The gongura mutton being cooked in a curry sauce made of the edible plant of the same name was well constructed, and strong in earthy lamb, onion and tomato flavours along with the signature tanginess of the gongura. Meanwhile, the chukka was alledged to be a south Indian dry curry from tamil nadu, but appeared and tasted almost identically to the gongura. 

Both great, but not so different from eachother. 

 

7/10

Service

Often seen, it was another case here of the waiter helping out in the kitchen. Understandable when so quiet, but inexcusable when my brother Chris is thirsting for another pint. We could easily have been in someone's dining room such was the absence of both customers and staff. And, given the seemingly similar curries of different names, it's not clear how much help the waiter was providing.

6/10

Value For Money

At about £10 a main, the prices here are competitive, even if not the cheapest. Portion sizes are also a little shy of the largest, but a trip here won't break the bank, despite the pricey poppadoms. But value comes from more than just price. The all round experience wasn't the best. The little atmosphere, average service,  and average beer, let down the rather decent scran. 

6/10

Summary

The food here was pretty great, and the interior pleasant, if pokey, but the rest of the experience was a little flat. I feel and fear for any business that's this quiet on a Friday, but fingers crossed this was just an anomalie. 

32/50