On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the newly opened Cinnamon Kitchen at the Queens Hotel in Leeds City Centre.
The event kicked off at 6pm with a vibrant scene—dancers and drummers greeted guests outside the entrance, drawing the attention of passers-by and creating a lively, energetic welcome to the restaurant.
After soaking up the vibrant street scene, we made our way inside, where we were warmly welcomed and offered a cocktail or a glass of prosecco.
As we made our way up the stairs and entered the main restaurant, I was immediately struck by the venue’s elegance. The interior design is stunning, with statement lighting fixtures stretching across the ceiling and casting a soft, ambient glow. The décor gave a sense of both sophistication and warmth, creating an inviting atmosphere that I found endearing.
We took a walk around the venue, which had been arranged differently for the occasion. Rather than a traditional restaurant layout, only a few tables were set up to create a more open, social atmosphere ideal for mingling. As we made our way past the bar toward the back, the space opened up into a large area, where most of the dining tables would normally be arranged. Looping back towards the front, we discovered additional seating that felt especially cosy. It struck me as the perfect spot for a relaxed evening or even a date night.
Dotted around the room were a few cocktail stations offering samples of Cinnamon Kitchen’s signature drinks, including the Cinnamon Bellini containing homemade cinnamon syrup, prosecco, and chai foam, which was particularly tasty.
As the evening progressed, the venue filled up and became quite lively, but I did find it a bit too crowded. Trays of bite-sized nibbles were circulated for everyone to sample, and everything we tried was packed with flavour. That said, my friend did note more than once that some of the dishes were ‘quite spicy’! The food we tasted left me wanting to return and explore the full menu.
While it was overall a great evening, one element that detracted from the experience was the volume of the music, which, to me, was uncomfortably loud throughout the night. Although the space was clearly designed for socialising, the music made it difficult to hold a conversation or even hear what the servers were offering us to sample. A slightly lower volume would have made the atmosphere far more enjoyable.
Cinnamon Kitchen’s launch event offered a vibrant, delicious first taste that left me curious for more.
From the creative cocktails to the tempting tasters and the stylish setting, Cinnamon Kitchen is a venue I’m keen to return to—next time for the full dining experience.
