Cinnamon Kitchen and Sushisamba cocktail bar

From London Bridge railway station, we did something we rarely do and hailed a Black Cab. Usually we travel everywhere in the City by bus or tube, but tonight was a little special; a long awaited and previously postponed night out with my cousin Evelyn and her husband Graham.

We headed for the super fast lift to the 39th floor of Heron Tower, and Sushisamba cocktail bar. Actually this place is now called Salesforce Tower, but it is still known by its old name to most.

Evelyn and Graham had travelled into the City from their home in deepest Essex, but our journey was a lot shorter with the 15 minute trip up from East Croydon.

Boy we had a lot to catch up on…

I have been to Sushisamba a few times, along with the Duck and Waffle bar on the floor above. These are great places to visit, either for a pre or post meal drink. That said, they are restaurants in their own right too, but we’ve never actually had a meal in either of these venues; we might actually have to try that one day!

I discovered tonight that this was also one of Eve’s old haunts when she worked in the City.

The view from here is amazing, both day and night – and well worth a visit if you are in London.

There are usually queues outside, with doormen vetting and controlling numbers. I’d recommend booking a table well in advance, even if only going for a drink. Oh and although they don’t have a strict dress code, it can get a little “dressy” so don’t think you’ll get in wearing old jeans and a teeshirt, especially if it’s busy.

Our next stop was just around the corner at a restaurant called The Cinnamon Kitchen, in Devonshire Square. It’s a lovely Pan-Indian restaurant which can be found in the far left corner of a huge glass atrium.

Despite its size, this one of those places that could be easily missed. The small brick entrance at one end of the historic spice warehouse is a little deceptive, hiding many bars and restaurants inside.

We absolutely love the Cinnamon group of restaurants (there are others in Covent Garden and Battersea) as the menus are a little different from the norm. Unfortunately, Emma and I were far too busy chatting with Evelyn and Graham to take our usual photos of the food and venue…

So, all in all a couple of lovely places I’d recommend, but this night was more about catching up with my cousin, someone I have only seen a handful of times since our Nan and Grandad passed away over forty years ago (link – our Nan). Indeed Eve used to look after me when I was a nipper too… hard to believe she’s older than me! Life’s treating her well.

It was spooky to discover that we have much in common, share similar mannerisms and have a common outlook on life in more than a few areas. It ended up being one of those nights we left with a jaws ache through talking, sore sides from laughing and in a great mood.