Lizzie Anderson is spoilt for choice at the Cinnamon Club Indian Restaurant, Trimdon Village

THE phrase “your eyes are bigger than your stomach” was often directed at me when I was younger. It was usually when I had greedily requested a second portion of pudding and struggled to finish it. These words have come back to haunt me many times, and they certainly passed through my mind during a visit to Cinnamon Club, an Indian restaurant and champagne bar in Trimdon Village.

My friend Vanessa and I were so spoilt for choice we ordered a little more than we should have. However, we gave it a good try and enjoyed every mouthful.

Cinnamon Club opened in June when brothers Sabir Ahmed and Mohammed Miah transformed a rundown pub into a luxurious Indian restaurant. The restaurant has proved popular with villagers and visitors alike and has been nominated in the best newcomer category in the National Curry Awards.

When Vanessa and I visited the Salters Lane establishment one Saturday night, the restaurant’s illuminated exterior and red carpet emanated glamour. We received a warm welcome when we entered the champagne bar where we were guided to our table by a friendly waiter.

The decor was stylish, with crisp white linen tablecloths and mood lighting, casting a mystical blue and pink glow throughout the restaurant. Our table was topped with sparkling glasses, polished cutlery and a floral arrangement, which was pretty but slightly on the pointy side (we ended up moving it).

The waiting staff were attentive, with three different people making sure our drinks order had been taken.

As I said, the menu was extensive and each dish sounded delicious. Struggling to choose, we ordered a selection of side dishes alongside our curries, as well as a portion of rice and a naan bread each.

However, popadoms and pickles (£1.20) were first up. The pickles were tasty and comprised mango chutney, lime pickle, chilli sauce and shredded onion and tomato. We liked the fact they were served in white porcelain pots, rather than the stainless steel bowls you find in some places.

For a starter, I plumped for bhuna prawn puri (£3.95), my absolute favourite Indian dish. I have it whenever it is on the menu and the Cinnamon Club version was wonderful, with juicy prawns and a soft pancake that was not too greasy.

Vanessa chose the kashti baingan (£3.95), a stuffed aubergine packed with wild mushrooms and mozzarella. She is a great fan of vegetarian food and described her dish as being “really nice”.

When I asked if she could elaborate, she said “erm, yummy?” I suppose she made her point.

We also ordered an onion bhaji (£2.95) to share. It was crispy and flavoursome but perhaps not the best idea, given the amount of food we ordered for our main course.

As the waiter promptly cleared our empty plates, I whispered to Vanessa “I’m quite full already.” She nodded, casting a furtive look towards the kitchen door. Would it be too late to cancel one of the side dishes?

However, when our meal arrived, the colourful array of fragrant food in front of us made my mouth water. Perhaps we had underestimated the size of our appetites after all?

Vanessa and I love to try new and different food so decided to share everything between us.

We settled on the chicken tikka exotica (£7.95), a mild and creamy curry containing large chunks of pineapple, and the lamb gosht (£7.75), a classic curry made with spinach.

To accompany our curries, we chose a selection of side dishes, including lemon and nut rice (£3.75), a garlic naan (£2.50), a peshwari naan (£2.50), Bombay potatoes (£3.95) and palak paneer (£3.95). The latter is another spinach-based curry, containing large chunks of paneer cheese, which does not melt when heated. It is another of my favourite Indian dishes and Cinnamon Club’s offering did not disappoint.

It is safe to say we did not finish our meal, but we gave it a good shot. The lamb gosht was my favourite of the two curries, containing chunks of meat which melted in the mouth. Vanessa enjoyed the creamier dish and we both raved about the sweet peshwari naan.

Naturally, we were too full for dessert, but we managed to find room for the chocolate that came with our bill, which came in at £65.65, including drinks.

I will definitely return to Cinnamon Club, but next time I will listen to my parents’ advice and only order what I can eat.

Cinnamon Club, Salters Lane, Trimdon Village

Phone: 01429-882082

Website: cinnamon-club.com

Food quality: ****

Service: ****

Ambience: ****

Value: ****