Welcome to a taste of Cádiz, Andalucia, Spain: May 2019

Cádiz is a port in Andalucía, Southern Spain known as ‘the silver teacup’ and it’s generally considered to be the oldest continually inhabited city in Europe. Now well into its fourth millennium, the ancient centre is surrounded almost entirely by water, which makes it stunningly picturesque and full of charm.

Restaurant Café Royalty is located on Plaza de la Candelaria, Cadiz 

Steve and I first visited Cádiz one year ago and we were very keen to return to some of our favourite places and discover new ones like Restaurant Cafe Royalty above where we enjoyed fine dining style tapas from this delicious menu which was excellent value at 22 euros per person.

Plaza de la Candelaria is a very beautiful quiet square in Cadiz where Codigo de Barra, another fine dining restaurant is also located. Having enjoyed a meal here last year we were making a return visit to celebrate Steve’s birthday.

Codigo de Barra serve their unique olive ‘surprise’ for the first course 

Followed by a dish representing the origin of tapas – a slice of Iberian ham on top of a sherry glass of consommé

The 3rd course was their quirky take on the traditional shrimp fritters

Toasted brioche, cured egg yolk and marinated sardines for the 4th course

Followed by garlic prawns with dry sherry

Roast lamb with vegetables in a lavender sauce for the 6th course

French toast with Thyme ice cream completed another outstanding meal at Codigo de barra 

Roast lamb with vegeatbles in a lavender sauce

with Thyme ice cream

We enjoyed tapas for lunch with sumptuous fresh oysters most days at our favourite bar Taberna La Bombilla near the central market in Cadiz. An ideal location for people -watching with good food, beer, and service at very reasonable prices. 

Just one of the fabulous stalls which surround the fish market in the centre of Cadiz

The highlight of our trip to Cadiz this time was a visit to a Flamenco Tavern, which was a totally authentic, mesmeric and entrancing experience.

Afternoon Tea at The Ivy Brasserie, Cambridge

Last month I enjoyed a delicious Afternoon Tea at The Ivy Brasserie in Cambridge to celebrate a friends birthday. 

We chose the traditional Afternoon Tea which included a selection of savoury delights, warm fruited scones and unusual sweet treats served with pots of tea or coffee.

Served on a three-tiered silver stand we tucked into a tasty and unusual selection of savouries which included truffled chicken brioche rolls, marinated cucumber and dill finger sandwiches, and smoked salmon on dark rye bread with cream cheese and chives. On a separate cake stand we were served warm fruited scones with Dorset clotted cream and strawberry preserve.  The sweet treats of Raspberry cheesecake, Chocolate and salted caramel mousse and Crème Brulee doughnuts completed a splendid Afternoon Tea. The mousse was amusingly served in a miniature ceramic plant pot and decorated with fresh flowers which was a surreal touch.

This is my third visit to The Ivy which is a vibrant and sophisticated addition to the Cambridge dining scene but each time my experience has been rather let down by some minor niggles about the service. On this occasion we had to ask twice for some milk for my friends tea and it was a very long wait and when I asked for a second pot of tea it didn’t arrive until I had asked for the bill! I must add that having spoken to friends about this they were very complimentary about the service at The Ivy so it must be that my experience is not the norm. As it was a birthday celebration my friend was delighted to receive a mini cheesecake with a candle as a surprise from a member of staff. A nice touch and highly recommended for at £18.95 per person this is probably the best value Afternoon Tea in Cambridge. Served daily from 3-5pm. 

The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie

16 Trinity Street

Cambridge

CB2 1TB

Tel : 01223 344044

http://www.theivycambridgebrasserie.com

 

Afternoon Tea at PARKER’s Tavern, University Arms Hotel, Cambridge: September 2018

 

PARKER’s Tavern restaurant is located on the ground floor of the University Arms Hotel on Regent Street in Cambridge

After more than two years of renovation work costing £80 million, Cambridge’s most historic and iconic hotel re-opened last month and I couldn’t wait to visit to sample the food in PARKER’s Tavern restaurant. I had enjoyed a splendid lunch there within days of the hotel opening and returned this week to experience Afternoon Tea with a friend.

The PARKER’s Tavern creative and stylish Afternoon Tea was served in the hotel library on a traditional three-tier stand

We started with the savouries which included a selection of sandwiches, warm sausage rolls and Crayfish pastry boats

The Plum Pudding scones were served warm and accompanied by caramelised apple butter, plum jam and clotted cream

The bespoke china is full of interesting images which reflect Cambridge history

The top tier held an unusual selection of sweet treats – Parkers Football truffles, Sir Isaac Newton’s Apple, Rice Pudding Macaroon, and Iced saffron and rose cake

We were too full to eat all the scones and cakes so we took a ‘doggy bag’ home

I also took my slice of Duke of Cambridge tart home to enjoy later

This Afternoon Tea is innovative and offers a whimsical take on the traditional and clearly a lot of thought has gone into the invention of it. Every sweet and savoury treat created by chef Tristan Welch was inspired by the city’s literary legacy which is explained in the interesting Afternoon Tea menu booklet.

On this occasion one or two things could have been better as the sandwiches were dry and appeared not to have been freshly made, also we weren’t very impressed with the fillings of Coronation Chicken, Spiced Beef and Smoked Trout. However the sausage roll and crayfish pastry boat were very enjoyable. The still-warm scones were light and fruity and we both loved the plum jam. The sweet treats were all delightful, being unusual and creative and there was plenty to enjoy. A choice of teas are available to accompany the food and fresh pots were offered throughout the meal which is always welcome. Service was polished and professional. I think this Afternoon Tea is over-priced as it’s more expensive than any other I have come across in Cambridge but if you are looking for somewhere impressive and indulgent to take a visitor or for a special occasion then PARKER’s Tavern would fit the bill.

Finally the hotel lavatories are well worth a visit as one can hear the dulcet tones of Alan Bennett reading from the ‘Wind in the Willows’ whilst using the facilities!

The PARKER’s Tavern Afternoon Tea is available by reservation only at least 24 hours in advance and costs £33 per person plus 12.5% service charge.

PARKER’s Tavern

University Arms
Regent Street
Cambridge
CB2 1AD

Tel: 01223 606066

For Reservations, email: reservations@universityarms.com

https://parkerstavern.com

Sun, sea and Tapas in Cadiz, Andalucía, Southern Spain

The view from the rooftop terrace of the Senator Cadiz Spa Hotel where we were based

Inspired by Rick Steins travels around Europe in ‘Long Weekends’  Steve and I recently enjoyed a lovely holiday in sunny Cadiz, which was one of his destinations. We had made a note of all the tapas bars and restaurants which Rick had recommended and made it our mission to see how many we could locate on our week-long stay.

The classy interior of the 4* Senator Cadiz hotel which was very centrally located in the Old Town and close to the harbour, bars, restaurants, and shops. It was exceptionally clean and had an excellent breakfast, a spa, rooftop pool, and sunbathing area. Top tip if you have a hire car (as we did) avoid the hotel car park as alternative underground parking is available nearby which is less expensive.

On our first evening, we dined at El Faro restaurant and tapas bar which was one of Rick’s recommendations and we weren’t disappointed. It’s considered one of the best places to eat fresh seafood in Andalucía for good reason and although formal it had a certain old school charm and elegance at a reasonable price for the quality. By Cadiz prices, El Faro is considered to be expensive with mains starting at 15 Euros but our bill with drinks was considerably less than we would have paid in Cambridge UK for a similar meal.

Our next destination was Taberna Casa Manteca which is a tiny and totally authentic tapas bar with a fabulous atmosphere and an interesting history. This busy bar is a must for anyone visiting Cadiz and we liked it so much we returned several times during our stay.

We came across this modern restaurant La Isleta de la Vina quite by chance and liked the look of it. The food was exceptional and very reasonably priced. This unassuming restaurant with a small but very interesting menu was like finding treasure. The chef here cooks amazing and inventive food which is lovely to look at and equally delicious to eat. Well worth seeking out in the heart of Cadiz Old Town and deservedly highly rated.

We took a bus ride to the Playa de la Victoria area of Cadiz and enjoyed lunch al fresco at La Despensa, a smart restaurant which serves traditional Spanish food with a modern twist in a beautiful setting overlooking white sandy beaches and panoramic sea views.

Apart from the exceptional restaurants and bars which are featured above, we enjoyed beers and tapas at many other interesting places and none more so than Taberna La Bombilla in one of the roads which surround the fantastic fish market in central Cadiz. Steve relished the fresh oysters from a street vendor and I enjoyed platters of local ham and cheese with chips, Padron peppers, and tomatoes.

Mercado Central de Cadiz (the Central Market) is outstanding for the abundance and variety of seafood on sale, plus the fruit, vegetable and tapas stalls around the outside with lots of benches to stop and sample the excellent produce and prepared food. Spacious, clean and well set-up the market is interesting architecturally as the new central building is combined with the original market.

A typical stall in the Fish Market

The Flower Market in Cadiz

Cádiz is a port in Andalucía, Southern Spain known as ‘the silver teacup’ and the oldest city in Europe. We found it delightful and full of quirky charm. The old town is virtually unspoiled and despite this being a stop for cruise ships it’s not a touristy place. I would make a return visit in a heartbeat because there is so much to see and do and we barely scratched the surface in a week. We located at least half the bars and restaurants which Rick Stein had recommended and found some of our own worth writing home about. It’s the ideal location for lovers of seafood with cheap beer, wonderful weather, and uncrowded beaches – what’s not to love!

 

 

 

Tapas at Tabanco, Cambridge: April 2018

This week we enjoyed tapas and wine at new eatery Tabanco with friends

Tabanco is located on Green Street, Cambridge

I loved the interior which has an authentic Spanish feel and ambience

I loved the interior of Tabanco which has an authentic Spanish feel and ambience

We shared the mixed Charcuterie board which was enough as a starter for the four of us with olives and bread.

Queso de cabra trufado, (Truffled goat’s cheese, honey, and almond flakes) was an interesting dish for those with a sweet tooth – like me! 

Sardinas ahumadas, Smoked sardine fillets, with red pepper purée

Brócoli con gremolata y manchego. This tapas dish was my favourite – al-dente sprouted broccoli drenched in peppery, fresh gremolata and feather-light shavings of Manchego.

Chorizo a la plancha con boniato (Grilled chorizo with sweet potato) was a fresh twist on sausage and mash but we all considered it to be overly sweet

Ceviche de besugo, Sea bream ceviche, ajo blanco, raisin, apple and shallot vinaigrette

Carrilleras de cerdo, Braised pork cheeks, mash, PX sauce and crispy shallots was a hearty and substantial dish which we all enjoyed

Pimientos de Padrón (Padrón peppers) were soft, salty and delicious and Steve’s favourite tapas 

Patatas bravas (Deep fried potatoes, spicy tomato sauce and aioli) I found this dish a disappointment and not what I expected

Sardinas ahumadas Smoked sardine fillets, red pepper purée

Brócoli con gremolata y manchego. This tapas was my favourite – al-dente sprouted broccoli drenched in peppery, fresh gremolata and feather-light shavings of Manchego.

Chorizo a la plancha con boniato (Grilled chorizo with sweet potato)

Carrilleras de cerdo Braised pork cheeks, mash, PX sauce and crispy shallots

We shared the mixed Charcuterie board and Olives as a starter with bread

Two of our party chose from a selection of cheeseboards for dessert: Picos de Europa, blue, cow and goats milk and Garrotxa, semi-soft goats milk

I couldn’t resist the Churros con chocolate – churros with chocolate sauce for my dessert.

Crema Catalana – This Catalan cream dessert resembled a Crème brûlée

On a previous night out, Steve and I had ventured into Tabanco for a nightcap as we were interested to check out both the place and the menu. I was immediately impressed with the layout, the decor and the ambience of this new indie restaurant which opened last month. This week on the first warm and sunny evening of this year we returned with two friends for a selection of tapas and we were not disappointed. It serves a selection of barrelled sherries, fine wines, delicious small-plates and larger rustic Spanish-inspired dishes. Tabanco is the Cambridge-based sister of the hugely successful Drakes Tabanco, located on Windmill Street in London’s Fitzrovia, so it has an excellent pedigree. Note – the name “Tabanco” translates as “hangout” – a relaxed place where guests can drop by for a quick bite or plan a larger, more elaborate meal.

It’s easy to get carried away with the menu of enticingly descriptive tapas dishes – as we did and we ended up ordering 17 plates of food between the four of us! The bill with drinks came to a whopping £160.00 without service, but when I worked it out later it was only a modest £22 per head for the food and £18 a head for drinks and we had 4 drinks each.

Finally some small gripes about Tabanco. The service is fairly indifferent but acceptable, the bread is over-priced at £2.50 for four small pieces and there’s only bottled beer available. On the two occasions when we visited (both midweek) I was surprised to see them turning away potential diners at 9.30pm saying the kitchen was closed. Apart from that, it’s a great place for authentic tapas with a good atmosphere which when the shutters are open almost makes you feel like you are on holiday in Spain! Recommended for large groups.

Tabanco

 38-39 Green Street

Cambridge

CB2 3JX
01223 751 551
info@tabanco.co.uk
http://www.tabanco.co.uk

Lunch at The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie : April 2018

This week I enjoyed lunch with a friend at the recently opened and ultra-stylish The Ivy Brasserie in Cambridge. I had been very keen to visit this new restaurant because it’s had many gushing and superlative reviews about the food and I’ve heard mixed ones about the service. My own experience was a curious one in several ways but nothing negative could be said about the food which we both agreed was excellent. We fully appreciated eating in this elegant and sophisticated restaurant which is a welcome addition to the Cambridge foodie scene. The rise of a new breed of gastro chains is a growing trend which has been led by The Ivy Collection group who have now rolled out 15 spin-off brasseries with more planned, including one which is due to open soon in Norwich.

The Ivy is located on Trinity Street, Cambridge

The Ivy has own unique bright and vibrant style and the iconic ivy emblem is evident on everything from serviettes to sugar bowls! We observed exceptional attention to detail in the finish of this upmarket restaurant and clearly no expense has been spared. A special mention has to be given to the Cambridge-themed artwork which adorns the walls making it a visually stimulating environment of endless fascination.

The Ivy offers all-day casual dining and the restaurant is open 7 days a week for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, including set menus. We chose to eat from the set menu on this occasion which is available from 11.30am–6.30pm Monday to Friday at a very reasonably priced £16.50 for two courses or £21 for three courses. Booking is advisable but the restaurant also has a dedicated number of unreserved tables available throughout the day for walk-ins. It’s a surprisingly big space and there is a private dining area downstairs.

Our starter of  Potted kiln-roast salmon with lemon, dill crème fraîche and granary toast was a savoury delight.
Our main course of Pea, asparagus and goat’s cheese risotto, with rocket and baby shoot salad was a surprisingly generous sized portion and we could only eat half of it. The melting goats cheese sitting atop the risotto was a lovely twist to this classic dish.Our dessert of Lemon posset with Poppyseed shortbread was absolutely divine!

You may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned drinks so far in my review because it was rather a fiasco trying to get a soft drink at all, so more on that saga to follow. First, there was confusion on arrival in the lobby area where I was greeted warmly by one member of staff who took my coat and gave me a cloakroom ticket. So far so good until another member of staff appeared who without any interaction took the ticket from my hand and proceeded to give me my coat back when I assumed she would be showing me to my table! Note to the staff – what is wrong with speaking and communication?

When I was eventually seated I was offered still or sparkling water so I asked for tap water whilst I waited for my friend to arrive. A carafe of water was delivered promptly to the table but it wasn’t chilled. After my friend’s arrival, we perused the menus which were on the table and chose a soft drink each. We had to ask a member of staff for the Lunch and Early Evening set menu though and we gave our food order. Despite the restaurant being less than half full (and there seemed to be a lot of smartly dressed staff walking about) I felt the need to complain because I had waited over 30 minutes for my soft drink although my friends Ginger Beer had arrived without delay. I asked our server where my drink was only to be told that some of the components of my drink (a Strawberries and Cream Soda) were unavailable. I ordered a Fever-Tree Elderflower tonic as an alternative. What followed is too long a saga to relate here but we encountered rudeness from a member of the bar staff who eventually brought my drink order when we pointed out politely that it was wrong. There was a curious incident when a small copper jug appeared on the table without any explanation. After asking a member of staff if it was sauce for the fish starter it transpired the jug contained Elderflower cordial for me! Again I say to the staff  – where are your communication skills?
When it came to paying the bill we noticed that we hadn’t been charged for my soft drink or for the carafe of tap water which has been refilled on request. I objected to being asked to pay the whopping discretionary 12.5% service charge due to the poor customer service experience we had encountered. When I explained why to the member of staff who took my card payment we were offered an apology and complimentary coffee or tea to complete our meal as compensation.

Despite these small incidents, the food was exceptionally good so both my friend and I plan to return to eat at The Ivy, and we especially like the look of their very moderately priced Afternoon Tea.

Finally two more hints I would pass onto any would-be visitors, – make sure you don’t get charged for tap water as the people at the next table to us were astonished to be billed for it, and be warned that it’s an awful long way to the toilets which are located downstairs and seem like something of an afterthought for a venue of this size.

The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie

16 Trinity Street, City Centre, 

Cambridge, CB2 1TB

Tel : 01223 344044

www.https://theivycambridgebrasserie.com

 

 

The Boot Pub Brasserie in Histon, Cambs: A tale of two soufflés!

The Boot pub in Histon, which has recently reopened as a White Company Brasserie

Last night Steve and I braved the sub-zero temperatures and the snow to meet up with friends in the village of Histon, which is located a few miles north of Cambridge. We had booked a table at the newly reopened and refurbished pub The Boot which now includes a French-style brasserie, run by the company of celebrity chef Raymond Blanc.

We began our meal with a basket of stone-baked artisan baguette and Rustica olives.

 

Two of our party chose the Cheddar cheese soufflé for starters, which was served with a warm Ford Farm Coastal Cheddar sauce. It was perfectly light and utterly delicious!

Steve chose the Burgundian snails in garlic herb butter, served with a baguette

Another one of our starters was French onion soup, with Gruyère cheese croûtons

 

Two of our party chose the Cheddar cheese soufflé, served with warm Ford Farm Coastal Cheddar sauce. It was perfectly light and delicious.

Another one of our starters was French onion soup, with Gruyère cheese croûtons.

Steve chose the Burgundian snails in garlic herb butter, served with a baguette

For my main course, I chose this classic dish of Slow-cooked Bœuf Bourguignon, red wine, lardons, baby onions, mushrooms, with smooth mash

Must say I liked the look of this Pie of the Week, a chicken and leek traditional homemade pie served with green beans chosen by one of my companions 

Steve and one of our party chose Scottish Hebredian rope-grown mussels, steamed with traditional white wine and shallot marinière or creamy saffron mouclade, served with chips and baguette.

For my main course I chose this classic dish of Slow-cooked Bœuf Bourguignon, red wine, lardons, baby onions, mushrooms, with smooth mash.

Must say I liked the look of this Pie of the Week served with green beans

For my dessert, I couldn’t resist this Pistachio soufflé, famously light with rich chocolate ice cream. Two irresistible soufflés in one night!

One of our party chose this Normandy apple tart, with salted caramel ice cream

It came as no surprise that Steve chose this excellent Cheese plate, with Boy Laity Cornish Camembert, Lyburn Gold, Cheviot and Brighton Blue served with homemade chutney, dried fruit, nuts and crackers

The Three-fruit marmalade crème brûlée was enjoyed by another of my dining companions

The Three-fruit marmalade crème brûlée was enjoyed by another of my dining companions

Steve chose the Cheese plate: Boy Laity Cornish Camembert, Lyburn Gold, Cheviot and Brighton Blue served with homemade chutney, dried fruit, nuts and crackers

For my dessert I couldn’t resist this Pistachio soufflé, famously light with rich chocolate ice cream.

The Boot is a fabulous conversion which includes a big new bar where dogs are welcome, cosy snugs, and open and log burner fires make it a warm and welcoming environment. The sensational oak beamed extension houses the main brasserie restaurant which is extremely attractive. The cuisine is a winning combination of French brasserie favourites and British pub classics with a choice of menus at competitive prices. The service is good and the staff are friendly. For home-cooked food in an informal setting, this place is going to become a firm favourite of mine for the soufflés alone! Highly recommended.

The Boot

1 High St,

Histon,

Cambridge

CB24 9LG

Tel: 01223 209010

boot.histon@whitebrasserie.com

http://boothiston.com

A Winter break in Whitstable, Kent: January 2018

Last week Steve and I enjoyed a 3-day winter break in Whitstable which is a quaint fishing and harbour town on the North coast of Kent. It’s located 5 miles north of Canterbury and 2 miles west of Herne Bay, and very popular with visitors, especially from London. Harbour Street has many independent shops and there is a wide selection of pubs, cafes and restaurants in the town which has the working harbour as it’s focal point. This was our first visit and a post-Christmas gift to me from Steve as he knew I have been wanting to stay in Whitstable for years and had never got around to it.

The Official Brewery of the world-famous Whitstable Oyster Company. We enjoyed sampling several of the beers!

The Royal Native Oyster Stores in Kent is a seafood restaurant offering some of the very best oysters, fish and crustacea. The restaurant is located on the beach and offers stunning views of the company’s oyster grounds.

We found this gem of a pub and restaurant serving real ales, fine wines, delicious seasonal produce and live music. Just a stone’s throw from the sea in Whitstable.

The Hotel Continental is in a prime location as it’s the only beach front hotel in Whitstable.

Whitstable Harbour

We stayed in one of these 150-year old converted Fisherman’s Huts, which were formerly fishermen stores and are now run by the Hotel Continental. They provided the perfect setting for something of a unique overnight accommodation experience that is quirky and fun. The huts are situated just metres from the beach in the centre of Whitstable offering magnificent sea views of the Thames estuary.  Breakfast was served at the Hotel Continental which is about 10 minutes walk away from the huts and included in the price.

The Hotel Continental is in a prime location as it’s the only beachfront hotel in Whitstable.

Dating from the early 19th century ‘The Old Neptune’ Whitstable, or ‘The Neppy’ as it’s affectionately known locally is one of only a handful of pubs to be found on the beaches of Britain.

After a bracing walk, we enjoyed a pint of local beer and fish finger sandwiches with salad and chips at The Old Neptune. 

After a bracing walk we enjoyed a pint of local beer and fish finger sandwiches with salad and chips at The Old Neptune

The Royal Native Oyster Stores in Whitstable is a seafood restaurant offering some of the very best oysters, fish and crustacea. The restaurant housed in a whitewashed former oyster store is located on the beach and offers stunning views of the company’s oyster grounds.

The classic rustic interior of The Royal Native Oyster Stores restaurant where we enjoyed a splendid meal on the first night of our stay. 

We found this gem of a pub and restaurant offering real ales, fine wines, delicious seasonal produce and live music, just a stone’s throw from the sea in Whitstable.

The Pearson’s Arms has a lovely bar area and a rather fine restaurant upstairs where we enjoyed dining on our second night, from a menu which showcased the best of fresh, local produce.

Steve relished eating both native and rock oysters in Whitstable.

The Official Brewery of the world-famous Whitstable Oyster Company. We enjoyed sampling several of the beers!

Some of the interesting images we found in Harbour Street, Whitstable by local enigmatic graffiti artist Catman, a Banksy-style street painter – who apparently keeps his identity firmly under wraps!

So what did I make of our winter break in Whitstable? It certainly has a unique appeal and I can’t really compare it to anywhere else, although I felt that there are similarities with Aldeburgh and Wells-next-the-sea. Our stay in the fisherman’s hut, a meal in one of the best fish restaurants and a pint of a local brew in one of the seafront pubs sums up the charm of quintessential Whitstable: a combination of the classic rugged, cosy seaside town aesthetic and a touch of the modern bohemian! Well worth a visit, a short stay or as a base for a holiday.

We will certainly return when the weather is warmer!

 

The Royal Native Oyster Stores (Fish restaurant)

Horsebridge Road

Whitstable

Kent

CT5 1BU

Tel: 01227 276856

http://www.whitstableoystercompany.com

Whitstable Fisherman’s Huts

Tel: 01227 280280

e.reservations@hotelcontinental.co.uk

Hotel Continental

29 Beach Walk

Whitstable

Kent

CT5 2BP

Pearson’s Arms (seaside pub and restaurant)

Whitstable

Kent

CT5 1BT

Tel: 01227 773133

Email: info@pearsonsarmswhitstable.co.uk

The Old Neptune pub

Marine Terrace Island Wall

Whitstable

Kent

CT5 1EJ

Tel: 01227 227262

http://www.neppy.co.uk

 

The Tiffin Truck Bar and restaurant: Cambridge January 2018

The Tiffin Truck is located on Regent Street, Cambridge

Last night Steve and I enjoyed an excellent meal at The Tiffin Truck bar and restaurant which only opened very recently and serves Indian Market food. It’s the sister restaurant of Navadhanya which is one of our favourites so we arrived with high expectations and we weren’t disappointed. The welcome, the presentation of the food and the service were all of the same exceptional standard. It’s centrally located on Regent Street in Cambridge on the site which was formerly Anatolia, a Turkish restaurant.

Two of the bright and colourful images which decorate the walls at The Tiffin Truck. I admired all the graphics!

We loved the Naan bread which was drizzled with Truffle oil

My starter of Mini Masala Dosa was beautifully presented

Red Pumpkin Curry was another tasty side dish we sampled

This side dish of Crispy Kale Chaat was most unusual and tasted delicious

Vegetable Fried Rice and Paneer Butter Masala were two of the many dishes we enjoyed

We were too full for a dessert so we sampled a Kata Mita Margarita and a Bengal Tiger cocktail

Granny Apples enjoyed her first taste of an Indian cocktail!

At The Tiffin Truck you can eat in, take away or book a delivery

This splendid mural is a highlight of the restaurant’s decor 

At The Tiffin Truck you can eat in, take away or book a delivery

One of the bright and colourful images which decorate the walls at The Tiffin Truck. I loved the graphics!

This is a bar and restaurant where you can enjoy Indian market food dishes alongside Indian craft beers and cocktails, and it’s a splendid new addition to the dining scene in Cambridge.

If you like Indian food you will enjoy something completely different at The Tiffin Truck which has the authentic atmosphere of an Indian bazaar for lunch or dinner, to eat in or take away. Their menus have been inspired by famous Indian street food favourites and home-style tiffin lunches enjoyed by workers across India.

According to their website ‘Tiffin dates back to the days of the Raj where British afternoon tea was replaced with the local Indian practice of taking a light meal at that hour. Every weekday in Mumbai, where the tiffin tradition began, you can still see hundreds of tiffin wallahs racing around the streets with their bicycles piled high with stainless steel tiered boxes, delivering hot lunches to workers.’

For a small deposit, you can collect your takeaway in one of their stylish steel tiffin boxes. The food is very good value and we paid £36 for eight dishes without drinks. Highly recommended and we shall definitely be making a return visit!

The Tiffin Truck

22 Regent Street

Cambridge

CB2 1DB

Tel: 01223 366111

email: thetiffintruck@gmail.com

http://www.thetiffintruck.co.uk

dArry’s Liquor Loft and Restaurant – independent and distinctive, Cambridge: July 2017

dArry’s is located in King Street, Cambridge

For the third blog post in my series on roof terrace bars to be found in Cambridge, we headed for dArry’s Liquor Loft and Restaurant this week. I’ve been intending to seek out this popular venue since the loft space and roof terrace opened at dArry’s last year. I had also realised that it’s been over two years since we had last eaten at dArry’s restaurant so I was pleased to find that on Tuesdays they still have Steak Night. Regulars readers of my blog will know that my partner Steve loves a steak, but I invariably choose a fish or veggie main course.

We enjoyed a refreshing G and T for an aperitif from a wide selection of gins available in the Liquor Loft bar

Being a Tuesday we took advantage of Steak Night at dArry‘s

I chose Bread and Olives to share as my starter

I enjoyed sharing Steve’s starter of Padron Peppers pan flashed with sea salt, which were delicious

Steve’s main course of Rump Steak with mushrooms and balsamic roasted tomatoes, salad and hand cut chips

My main course of asparagus and sun-dried tomato risotto with Parmesan shavings was a huge portion

For my dessert, I couldn’t resist the pretty presentation of the white and dark chocolate fondant with dipped strawberries

It came as no surprise that Steve chose the cheese board accompanied by a glass of Riesling!

My main course of asparagus and sun-dried tomato risotto with Parmesan shavings

I enjoyed sharing Steve’s starter of Padron Peppers pan flashed with sea salt, which were delicious

Steve’s main course of Rump Steak with Mushrooms & balsamic roasted tomatoes, salad and hand cut chips

dArray’s certainly has a lot to offer punters! For example, I liked the idea of the Private Dining available in their Wine Shop

At dArry’s restaurant the service was friendly, professional and prompt and prices were very reasonable. The menu could be described as modern British with a Mediterranean feel and we paid £25 a head for 3 courses without drinks and service. The addition of the Liquor Loft and roof terrace to dArry’s sheltered courtyard area offers even more opportunity for al fresco dining in the summer months. Bookings are only taken for large parties but they can usually seat walk-ins. dArry’s is an attractive cocktail bar and eatery with distinctive design features which also offers a wide range of events from live music to wine tasting. So lots of reasons to make a return visit and I’m more than happy to recommend it!

dArry’s liquor Loft and Restaurant

2 – 4 King Street

Cambridge

CB1 1LN

Tel: 01223 505015

http://www.darrys.co.uk