Last week my daughter and I treated ourselves to a very different Afternoon Tea from the traditional one at Cafe Rouge in Cambridge. We both love cheese so this savoury menu appealed and readers on this occasion we weren’t disappointed. I usually avoid Afternoon Teas which are ‘themed’ in any way because they rarely live up to expectation but Cafe Rouge is onto a winner with their Cheese Afternoon Tea. It tasted as good as it looked and it was excellent value for money at £30 for two people because there was plenty of it. My daughter who is exceptionally hard to please couldn’t find anything to complain about with our meal and the service was prompt and efficient too. In fact, we were both reminded of the reasons why we have always enjoyed eating at this elegant Parisienne style bistro.
We loved the presentation of the Cheese Afternoon Tea which was served in three wooden boxes on a tiered cake stand.
To start we relished the Croque Monsieur with a choice of smoked ham or Portobello mushrooms with baby spinach, goats cheese and a drizzle of truffle oil. Both fillings were yummy!
While it was still warm we moved onto the Baked Camembert, served with crudites and garlic Flatbread
We completed our cheese feast with a selection of French Artisan cheeses served with water biscuits, grapes and baby figs.To accompany our cheese Afternoon Tea there was a choice of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
The Cheese Afternoon Tea was a delightful savoury alternative to the usual sweet treats, and Cafe Rouge has got it just right in my opinion. Highly recommended.
Afternoon Tea at Cafe Rouge is available every day from 12pm 5:30pm. I noticed that they also offer a Kids Afternoon Tea at £17.50 for two. I shall certainly be making a return visit.
Cafe Rouge also offers this more traditional sweet Afternoon Tea which I would like to try next time I visit.
Midsummer House is a two-star Michelin fine dining restaurant which has a modern, vibrant yet relaxed ambiance and is widely considered one of the finest restaurants in Cambridge and the UK. The cuisine is French Mediterranean and the service is friendly and efficient. Midsummer House celebrated it’s 20 years anniversary in 2018 with chef Daniel Clifford at the helm and was awarded its second Michelin star in 2005. Currently, it’s 21st in the UK on the Good Food Guide list in 2019 and I have wanted to eat here ever since it opened. I was saving Midsummer House for a special occasion so planning well in advance for my 70th birthday celebrations I booked a table for lunch for Steve and myself as a special treat. Last month my wish came to fruition and I wasn’t disappointed because it was lovely in every way and a splendid introduction to the Midsummer House dining experience.
This lovely view was taken from the adjoining river footbridge. Access to Midsummer House restaurant is by this footbridge or by walking across Midsummer Common. Midsummer House is located on the edge of Midsummer Common with its own secluded garden along the banks of the River Cam.
All the above taster dishes were complimentary appetisers served before the three-course set LunchCrispy pork belly, cannelloni of radish and apple, with cider pickled cockles was the first course on the set Lunch menuFor the second course, we enjoyed stuffed fillet of sea bream, piquillo pepper, courgette and basil puréeWe decided to add a cheese course to our lunch so we were offered the choice of four kinds of cheese from a delectable selectionThe accompanying biscuits were home-made on-site and scrumptious
Coriander white chocolate dome, coconut and mango, with Jasmine rice for the dessert courseTo complete our splendid meal we chose some complimentary Midsummer House hand-made chocolates from a selectionGranny Apples on her big birthday. Lunch at Midsummer House gave me plenty to smile about!
We chose four kinds of cheese from a delectable selection
For food of this quality, we felt that the price of the set lunch at £50.00 per person was reasonable and the sharing cheese platter was an additional £28. (Note – when booking a reservation a deposit of £50 person is required.) Drinks are expensive but as we were celebrating a special occasion we had champagne to start, beer and sparkling water with the meal and Port with the cheese. It was the extra special little touches like the birthday card for me and chocolates to take away in a customised box which made our lunch at Midsummer House so memorable. A lot of thought and attention to detail clearly goes into every aspect of this ultimate foodie experience with that added dash of theatre to the impeccable but friendly service.
We enjoyed the lunch so much that we are already planning to return to Midsummer House for our anniversary next year to sample the eight-course taster menu. Better start saving up now!
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 mashMust 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 creamIt came as no surprise that Steve chose this excellent Cheese plate, withBoy Laity Cornish Camembert, Lyburn Gold, Cheviot and Brighton Blue served with homemade chutney, dried fruit, nuts and crackersThe 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.
Taste with Granny Apples 