Somehow Cambridge feels a little bit different in August … the rhythm of the place changes while the hazy summer days and nights give us the chance to explore all the city has to offer. If you venture slightly off the beaten track, there are hidden gems to discover. I’d like to share some of my favourites with you here.
There’s a rather beautiful neo-classical building on Jesus Lane which was originally built as a Victorian Turkish baths. Behind a plain black door, down in the basement, you’ll find Hidden Rooms Cocktail Lounge where the lights are dim and the vibe is classy but chilled. There’s an extensive menu of classic cocktails alongside wine and beer with nuts and crisps to snack on. The Events Room hosts jazz gigs on Thursday nights, speed dating sessions on Wednesdays and Bachata dance classes on Tuesday evenings. I’d recommend making an advance reservation for your booth area in the table service Cocktail Lounge. And the Hidden Rooms team of expert bartenders will be sharing some of their secrets and tips in free cocktail making lessons during Cambridge Cocktail Weekend at the Corn Exchange from 24 – 26 August.
Magic is happening in the kitchen at Restaurant Twenty Two on Chesterton Road, just north of Midsummer Common. Chef Sam Carter and Alexandra Olivier, his partner in life and business, have refurbished this intimate space and offer creative modern British food with a twist, using seasonal ingredients from local suppliers. You’ll find seven and five course tasting menus alongside a la carte and a lunch menu which is exceptional value at £20 for three courses. Sam creates delectable flavours and textures in each dish and every plate of his food is a feast for the eyes too. It’s fine dining but Restaurant Twenty Two is not stuffy or starchy … it has a relaxed atmosphere and has quickly garnered an enthusiastic East Anglian fan base while also receiving rave reviews in the national press, so do book a table in advance. Your taste buds will thank you for it!
Over at the award winning Cambridge Cookery School in Homerton Gardens, you’ll find a light, bright café serving fresh seasonal dishes with ingredients sourced mainly from a small group of local, sustainable, high welfare producers. The décor, food and wine reflect owner Tine Roche’s Scandinavian heritage and her deep love of Italy. Try the homemade bread and pastries for breakfast, brunch or at lunchtime, when the counter offers colourful grain based salads, filled focaccia and open sandwiches on rye bread. On Friday and Saturday evenings, relax on the peaceful, sunny terrace with wine, cocktails and tapas or make sure to book ahead for the popular Saturday night Bistro set menu.
Don’t miss …..
Savino’s coffee shop, tucked away in Emmanuel Street. A small yet perfectly formed family run Italian café serving Illy coffee, homemade cakes, soups, panini and salads.
Stem + Glory restaurant at Mitcham’s Corner. Award winning vegan food with a weekday fast service lunch to eat in or take away plus table service a la carte menu for lunch and dinner.
The University Centre Wine Bar in Granta Place. Open to the public and housed in one of Cambridge’s finest examples of brutalist architecture, with views over the River Cam, it serves wine, beer and spirits as well as simple charcuterie and cheese boards.
This post is an edited version of “The Cambridge Scene”, my column in the August edition of Eastlife Magazine. See more on http://www.eastlife.co.uk
A favourite cycle ride is an easy one of about twenty five minutes, mostly on paths and through lush green meadows, out to Grantchester. This very pretty, tranquil village was once home to poet Rupert Brooke who wrote of it nostalgically, “And is there honey still for tea?” Well, The Orchard Tea Garden in Mill Way has been serving honey for tea since 1897 not only to Brooke but, back in the day, to luminaries like Virginia Woolf, Maynard Keynes and Alan Turing. There’s nothing nicer than sitting in a deckchair in dappled sunlight under an apple tree here, enjoying tea and cake. They also serve breakfast, lunch, scones and full cream teas and there’s plenty of indoor seating for cooler days.
Another excellent pitstop in Grantchester is Cambridge Distillery on the High Street. Master Distiller William Lowe creates award winning gins using freshly foraged local botanicals. Lemon balm, blackcurrant leaf, magnolia and local honey all feature in the Spring/Summer 2018 seasonal gin which you can sample along with the rest of the range. Maybe pre-book a Masterclass to boost your gin know-how or even create your own bespoke spirit at a private Gin Tailoring session. The Distillery also offers four very special coffees which they can blend to your individual taste and has a beautiful city centre shop, Cambridge Gin Laboratory, on Green Street.
New in Cambridge 