Review: Cinammon at the Hilton Hotel

But that doesn’t mean that businesses are just going to pack up and hibernate until they can once again sign their cheques with solid gold quill pens.

Times may be tight, but the world keeps on spinning. Deals will still be struck in hotels, bars and restaurants around the world. And in those cases, the best way to nudge someone the right way is to talk turkey over juicy steak, first-class salmon and a smooth Cappuccino.

Cinnamon Bar and Restaurant lies just over the bridge from Canary Wharf in South Quay, on the ground floor of the Hilton hotel. As you’d expect from a venue bearing the luxury-lacquered Hilton name, the decor is sleek, open, modern and calm enough to strike up a conversation.

When the bar and hotel opened in summer 2006, designers settled on a green glass motif with an uncluttered layout and huge floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on the bustle of Marsh Wall.

Of course, life is far more enjoyable on this side of the glass. Cinnamon boasts a line-up of dishes which scream flavour without falling into the dank trenches of stodginess, excessive richness or minuscule portions. And the restaurant’s expert chefs are even willing to discuss special menus for corporate groups of 10 or more.

Starters include the tender Smoked Salmon Terrine with Cucumber Salad and Beetroot Jelly (£7.25), Crispy Duck Breast with Potato and Granny Smith Puree, Braised Cherries and Cinnamon (£8.95) and Serrano Ham with Charentais Melon and Walnut Oil (£8.25). Soups such as the Chicken Veloute with Sorrel and Summer Garlic (£5.45) kick off a meal beautifully, and options such as poached egg, smoked mackerel and crab are also on offer.

Hilton classics such as the Bacon and Cheese Burger (£12.75), the Club Sandwich (£10.75) and the Caesar Salad with Chicken or Salmon (£12.75) are present and correct, and you can snap up Lamb Cutlets (£21.95), Corn Fed Chicken Breast (£16.95) or 280g Aberdeen Angus Sirloin (£23.50) from the grill. But there are real delights to be found in the main course menu, from the Pan-fried Monkfish with Saffron Fondant Potato, Artichoke, French Beans and Quails Egg (£21.95) to the Best End of Lamb with Fruit Cous Cous, Cucumber, Red Onion Salad and Chilli Relish (£23) and the Rib-Eye with Cinnamon with French Bean Relish, Potatoes and a Basil and Parmesan Crisp (£22.50).

Sorbets such as Cinnamon and Vodka (£4.50) can round off lunch or dinner with flair, or you can settle on the fantastic Chocolate Ganache (£7.50), the Cheese Platter (£6.50) or one of the Wharf’s best Cappuccinos (£3.55).

This being the Hilton, the bar and restaurant is also very flexible when it comes to corporate visitors. Bar and restaurant areas can be cordoned off for special events, big screens can be moved downstairs for conferences, and interviews can even be held in the 100-capacity nook by the bar.

Cinnamon also offers 15 per cent discounts through its loyalty card, which has already proved popular with regular visitors.

For more information on event booking, contact Emma Gregory on 0203 002 2381 or at emma.gregory@hilton.com

Cinnamon Bar and Restaurant
Hilton London Canary Wharf
South Quay
Marsh Wall
E14 9SH

0203 0022300

hilton.co.uk/canarywharf