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PONTCANNA
The Cinnamon Tree
Dinner
It has to be said, my idea of a good night out is eating and I particularly love a good Indian meal. As a real foodie and ex restaurateur I am understandably choosey where I go, but my expectations are always met at The Cinnamon Tree, Pontcanna.
We must come here at least once a week and not always for a full on curry. We are always warmly welcomed and, as regulars, we all know each other by our first names, which is nice.
The menu is varied and there’s something to suit everyone’s taste. If hot and spicy is not your thing but you love taste, then no problem, there are always suggestions on hand to help you choose just the right meal for you. They really do pride themselves on menu knowledge. There’s also a large selection of vegetarian options.
My particular favourite has to be the kathri kai kara kozhumbu. The words might not trip off the tongue, but the taste certainly lingers with its mix of flavours. It is, in fact, a baby aubergine medium spiced curry dish, which is usually served with scented lemon rice for that creates a clever contrast of tastes.
We dined with two friends who weren’t as experienced as us in Indian cuisine and we were keen to see their reactions.
We decided on a mix of my personal favourites and those of Amran, the Manager. We started with pankhi kebab, a marinated breast of chicken stuffed with a mixture of fresh mint, cottage and cheddar cheese, in a saffron and cardimon marinade, which was served with a tamarind sauce. We also had a lamb mirpuri, a spicy lamb dry roasted in a tandoori oven, shredded and pan stirred with fenugreek, onions and coriander, served sizzling with a dash of lemon juice. As I write I can feel my mouth watering. Last but not least, we had a king prawn malabari, a juicy king prawn coated with crushed chilli and garlic, rolled in refined semolina and served with a special monipuri chutney.
Our main course consisted of tandoori king prawn, served sizzling at our table, accompanied by a side salad and chutneys. We also had lamb shali which was full of flavour, served with a medium spiced, thick sauce, with a helping of crispy straw potato, served in a lovely copper pot. We also had a variety of mild curries. A favourite of many are the chicken korma and lamb pasanda. Both were thick and creamy, made with cultured yoghurt and cream, mixed nuts and flavoured with a touch of red wine. Our vegetarian dishes were the baby aubergines (my favourite), sag aloo, spinach and potato, lemon rice and mushroom fried rice. We also opted for a basket of nan bread – garlic and peshwari, the latter stuffed with almond paste and fruit. These were like fluffy pillows full of gorgeousness. This was a very sociable way of eating. Dipping in and out of little pots all arranged beautifully before us. Our guests agreed that they would perhaps not have been as adventurous when ordering and would have denied themselves the opportunity of sampling these amazing dishes.
Although way too full for dessert, one of our party couldn’t resist the homemade cinnamon and cardimon ice cream which was so rich, creamy and extremely moreish that we all dipped our spoons in, much to his dismay!
We ended our banquet with freshly made coffee and, as I’m a real teapot, I asked Amran for a special home style tea which consists of cinnamon and cardimon.
The Cinnamon Tree
173 Kings Road, Pontcanna CF11 9DE
029 2037 4433
Manager, Amran Uzzaman
Open seven days a week.
Lunch 12pm - 2pm.
Evenings 6pm - 10.30pm Mon to Sat.
6pm - 10pm on Sunday.
Open for buffet lunches on Sundays from 12pm - 5pm.
The Cinnamon Tree can also cater for corporate dinners in the upstairs dining area. Please call for information.
The Cinnamon Tree
at Peterstone Lakes Golf Club
Peterstone, Wentloog, Cardiff CF3 2TN
01633 689082
Managers, Bodrul Hussain and Robi Uzzaman
Open seven days a week.
6pm - 10.30pm Mon to Sat.
Open for Sunday buffet from 12pm - 5pm.
The Cinnamon Tree at Peterstone Lakes Golf Club can also cater for corporate functions and weddings for up to 200 people. Please call for more information.
The Cinnamon Tree
Tonteg Road, Treforest CF37 5UA
01443 843222
Manager, Ruman Uzzaman
Lunch 12pm - 2pm.
Evenings 6pm - 10.30pm Mon to Sat.
Open for buffet lunches on Sundays from 12pm - 5pm.
Tiffin Deli
Salisbury Road, Cardiff
029 2022 8150
Open from 8am - 11pm
Also at:
Cross Road, Thornhill, Cardiff
029 2076 3636 |
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