For a taste of the exotic, this chic Lavender Hill eatery is proving to be a real charmer.

The Venue
Cinnamon Cay is an established Pacific Rim restaurant with a firm foot on Lavender Hill. The warm banquetted interior is stylish and cosy and embraces the fiery colours of the outback. Bright modern watercolours adorn the walls and a small private terrace overlooks the busy street. It's fancy enough to rock up in all your finery but also sufficiently chilled to visit straight from work.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere can vary depending on the weather, but the staff are nice and attentive and clearly knowledgeable about the menu. The clatter from the open kitchen is a cheerful reminder of good food being prepared and thus removing the painful silence of a near empty restaurant. But, bad weather aside on certain visits it’s a shining example of a bustling neighbourhood restaurant.

The Food
The two courses menu is great value considering the high standard of the food. A starter dish of seared scallops with Peking pork is more than generous and flamboyantly rich in flavour. The pan-seared duck breast with Swiss chard and puy lentils is also perfectly tasty but ultra-filling, meaning a decadent dessert is sadly passed over. The more exotic end of the menu sees crocodile croquettes and a haunch of springbok which for those watching their carbon footprint is best to avidly avoid.

The Drink
The wine list offers a good, rounded selection of varying price with a couple of surprise entries from Slovenia and India. Not so much to offer in the cocktail region, but the staff are approachable enough to try your luck with their own suggestions.

The Last Word
For inventive, quality food at a snip of the price you'd pay in town, Cinnamon Cay certainly hits the spot. It's no wonder the residents of SW11 have taken this little restaurant into their hearts for the past few years. Recommended.

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