Two Milestones, One Supper: Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds Celebrates Its Birthday with Vivek Singh

Vivek Singh came north to co-host a six-course birthday supper with Leeds head chef Tariq Ghumman. We sent Kaitlin Talbot along to see how Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds is getting on.

Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds has made itself at home. Tucked into The Queens Hotel on City Square, a few steps from the station platforms, the restaurant brought the Cinnamon Collection north of London for the first time, with a dining room styled on India’s first-class railway waiting rooms and a menu built around Vivek Singh’s modern Indian cooking.

On Tuesday 27 October, the team marked the restaurant’s birthday with Tariq x Vivek: Birthday Supper Club, a one-night, one-sitting dinner co-hosted by Singh and head chef Tariq Ghumman. It doubled as a nod to a bigger anniversary for the group: 25 years since Singh opened The Cinnamon Club in Westminster’s Old Library in 2001.

The menu ran to six courses, each with a story attached: the dish that opened the Leeds restaurant, the one Leeds orders most, a dish from the original Cinnamon menu cooked by Singh himself, a Yorkshire plate, a first look at year two, and dessert to finish. Live music came from South Asian Arts (SAA-UK).

We sent Kaitlin Talbot along to take a seat and find out how the restaurant is doing.

Cinnamon Kitchen – The VIP Experience & Taster Menu

It’s not every day a restaurant turns one, and Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds marked the occasion in style, with a fabulous evening of cocktails, music and rich, tasteful cuisine.

Upon arrival, every guest is greeted with a smile and guided to the freshly stocked bar. Crystal chandeliers and warm-tinted lights hang from walls and ceilings inspired by the grand first-class waiting rooms of 19th-century Indian railway stations. Deep green and gold accents speak to the venue’s elegance, complementing the delicate bar glasses that twinkle a little under the light. Charming staff lead you through to the dining area, where a set table and plush green velvet seating make for a comfortable evening of relaxed yet dignified dining.

A small band from South Asian Arts (SAA-UK) played traditional yet gentle melodies as the genius Vivek Singh himself emerged to give a grateful speech, explaining each dish and the inspiration behind it. He then introduced the kitchen team, with some of his London chefs joining Leeds head chef Tariq Ghumman for the night. With a round of applause from the guests, the evening began and the first dishes were served with a smile.

After six wonderfully indulgent courses, it’s nearly impossible to select favourites. However, the ‘Opening Night’ dish of Hakka paneer stir-fry with honey and soy, the plate that launched the Leeds restaurant, was an especially beautiful starter that gave a gentle hint of the wondrous flavours yet to come. The soft cheese and spiced honey were a gift to the palate and a perfect opener to an already gorgeous evening. Next came Chettinad shrimps, the dish Leeds orders more than any other, followed by a shallot-crusted sea bream from the original Cinnamon menu, cooked by Vivek himself. Yet the ‘Yorkshire & Proud’ Sykes House Farm chicken breast with a zingy korma sauce was a wonderful standout and an ode to a classic. It offered a slight tang of spice, with a creamy sauce that complemented the soft chicken perfectly.

Nevertheless, the most applauded dish of the evening was the ‘Year Two’ clove-smoked lamb saddle with caramelised onions and saffron, a first taste of the new menu and an impeccable finale to a unique run of savoury courses. The tender lamb with buttery garlic naan and a lightly spiced saffron sauce was a treat to indulge in, and the golden bow on an already elegantly wrapped gift of an evening. To finish, a kulfi brought the food to a close: a cool, sweet full stop after a run of rich, spiced courses.

Cinnamon Kitchen is a welcome addition to Leeds city centre and a must for anyone looking to enjoy an evening of delicious food, sweet drinks and an elegant atmosphere. Vivek’s cooking is truly a work of art.

Words by Kaitlin Talbot

What comes next 

The birthday supper was a one-off, but the restaurant isn’t standing still. Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds has a new menu for the year ahead, and its Festive Feast is now available to book.

Running from 16 November to 27 December, the Festive Feast is £48 per person and built for long lunches, office parties and big get-togethers. It opens with a festive cocktail, moves on to the feast itself and finishes with a choice of dessert.

Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds is at The Queens Hotel, City Square, Leeds LS1 1PJ, and is open daily from 12pm. Book at cinnamon-kitchen.com/leeds.