REVIEW: Kiri, Mayfair

In appearance, it's a cute French bistro - but when the menu arrives you're slap bang in the heart of Japan, with sake and sushi welcoming your taste buds in for a flavour adventure. Welcome to Kiri.

I usually don't read reviews before visiting somewhere myself, but the love for Kiri is palpable through any Google search. Bloggers, journalists and guests alike love the accessible yet considered menu where wagyu beef sits alongside deep-fried fish bones. Luxury meets honesty at Kiri and it's a bloody joy to dine there! 

We began with a carafe of Fisherman Jumani Ginjo 14.5% sake. Fresh, light and easy to drink this sake had a smooth, almost water-like texture with only a tingle of alcohol at the end of the sip. It worked well with all our chosen dishes. 

We began with ultra thin, completely see-through slices of fluke dressed in a truffle soy sauce - AKA umami itself! The slightly firm texture was intriguing and the heady truffle flavour actually matched the meaty fish very well. Our second dish, a mixed seafood ceviche with yuzu, was a refreshing contrast with mixed cuts of each seafood balanced with tomatoes and celery slices.

Next, a surprising mixed vegetable salad dressed with puffed rice and a slightly sweet house dressing. Vibrant beets and radishes shared spaced with gently steamed broccoli and asparagus giving each mouthful a different flavour. This dish was paired with rock shrimp tempura served with a spicy, Sriracha-style mayonnaise. The sweetness of the shrimp balanced with the spicy mayo was just divine and swapping between the cold, raw veggies and the warm sweet fish was delicious! 

The next pairing came in the form of sweet potato croquettes with an edamame wasabi mayonnaise - perhaps a Japanese take on falafel and hummus! I really liked these little croquettes but when eaten with the next dish (red miso glazed aubergine) was DREAMY! I honestly can't think of a better way to describe it; salty then sweet, crunchy then soft, meaty then earthy - all these different flavour and texture combinations coming together made for quite the spoonful! 

Our final few dishes focussed solely on seafood. Classic California rolls were updated with a topping of grilled eel, whose flavour I loved but texture I was not a fan of. Lemon sole 'kara-age' was a really intriguing dish which arrived on a deep-fried fish spine. We were munching on the little balls of lemony fish when our server noted: "you can eat the bones too!". Similar to pork crackling but even saltier, this dish was definitely one for the brave. We finally enjoyed a really special plate of fatty tuna with spring onion maki. Soft, sweet and meaty all at the same time, these gorgeous little rolls were such a treat and even if you order nothing else, you really need to try these! 

If you work near Mayfair and are looking for a special spot to kick back, relax and enjoy truly the finest Japanese food in a relaxed way then make Kiri your go-to spot.

Thank you, Kiri, for arranging this review. All opinions are my own.

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REVIEW: Cinnamon Bazaar, Covent Garden

Tucked away on one of Covent Garden's many side streets and hidden passages sits Cinnamon Bazaar - the fourth concept from the king of modern-Indian cuisine in the UK, Vivek Singh. Opened last last year to rave reviews from both the traditional press and us bloggers, Cinnamon Bazaar takes you on a journey of culinary discoveries. Inspired by the world markets of the past where traders swapped and shared recipes, ingredients and more, the restaurant serves a collection of dishes that draw links between stops along the Silk Route - from Iran to India and beyond. 

Whether you love Vivek's other hot-spots in Soho and Westminster, or you're a first-timer to the Cinnamon Collection, Bazaar will welcome you in with a fabulous cocktail and dishes to warm the soul.

We began with a cocktail each from Cinnamon Bazaar's limited edition menu developed by Mr Lyan - AKA the best bartender in the world. Fadoola Swizzle was my choice of poison, with basil seed, rum and apricot, while Alex went for the Gin Julep with black cardamon and green amchoor mango. I wouldn't normally go for a cocktail with Indian food, preferring either a cold beer or a glass of bubbles, but the intriguing and unique flavour combinations of Mr Lyan's creations are certainly a must-try. 

For food, we kicked off proceedings with Crab Bonda with Calcutta crab and beetroot in a spiced chickpea batter. Fragrant, sweet and earthy, these little balls of joy ended much too quickly but are an ideal starter for sharing. Next, we moved onto Chaats - the most loved street food of Indian. These bowls of loveliness combine salty, sweet, sour and savoury flavours in an array of textures so you'll always find a combination you like. I favoured the spiced onion dumpling chaat with curried white peas and a medley of chutneys, whereas Alex loved the sweet potato cake with chickpea sev. Both are dressed with yogurt, mint and pomegranate so look as beautiful as they taste. 

For mains, there was no way I was coming to a Cinnamon restaurant and not getting curry. I was recommended the Malabar Boatman's haddock curry by a friend and it did not disappoint. Rich, creamy and tomato-ey with a lovely aromatic flavour, it was quite unlike any curry I had enjoyed before. Despite the rich curry flavour the haddock stood strong and the kokum veggies were the perfect accompaniment. Alex opted for the double cooked pork belly 'Koorg' style which was a drier affair than my curry with a crunchy fresh salad and red onion. Sweet and moorish, the meat simply fell apart in the mouth and worked beautifully with a big spoon of dahl.

I thoroughly recommend you making a visit to Cinnamon Bazaar. The interior alone deserves a view, with hand-painted panels, hanging lanterns and a huge bar, and the food simply sings! 

http://cinnamon-bazaar.com/ 

Thank you to Cinnamon Bazaar for hosting this review. All opinions are my own and have been in no way influenced by the complementary nature of this visit.  

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