If you're not feeling terribly picky, you want to see your options close-up, or you just want a particular regional cuisine, there are a few different parts of Cambridge that have a concentration of different restaurants. Pubs tend to be scattered throughout, but other types of restaurants are more closely grouped. If you pick any of the following parts of town, you're not likely to walk away hungry.
Lower Regent Street and the corner of Lensfield Road:
For some reason, this stretch of road is almost entirely populated with Mediterranean and Asian restaurants. Although there are a handful of non-food-related shops interspersed with the Korean, Indian, dumplings, and Chinese takeaways, you won't walk more than ten feet without stumbling on another place. The one and a half exceptions to the trend are a Persian restaurant (Shiraz), and a small Spanish tapas place at the northern end (www.titokiko.co.uk). Located in this area you will also find Yim Wah, Curry Garden, Golden House, and Seven Days. If you go past Lensfield Road, where Regent Street turns into Hills Road, you'll stumble upon Saffron Brasserie and, almost directly across the street, Sesame.
Bridge Street:
If you want a mix of European restaurants, try the stretch of street leading up to the Magdalene Bridge. Bistro-style Cote Brasserie (http://www.cote-restaurants.co.uk/) and Cafe Rouge (http://www.caferouge.co.uk/french-restaurant/cambridge) both draw their menu inspiration from French cuisine. If Wildwood's burger, pasta, and pizza-based menu has any particular affiliation, it's probably Italian. Venture as far as the Quayside, and you'll find Cambridge Wine Merchant's shop and wine bar, where you can not only buy a wide variety of wines by the bottle, but also pause for a bite to eat and/or a variety of wines, beers, and spirits either as samples or as full servings.
Market Square:
The options here are not geared toward a nice evening meal, but if you're looking for a quick lunch, this is the place to be. You can peruse the market stalls for cheese, bread, meat pies and pasties, and fresh fruit or order prepared food from one of the food carts located both in and around the market. Late at night, Market Square is home to the two food trucks, Van of Life and Uncle Frank's, which serve all the surprisingly satisfying, deep-fried goodness you can possibly desire, or you can venture a little ways down Rose Crescent to visit the Gardenia, which serves fish and chips, but also offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu until some odd hour of the morning. Sandwich shops include two Pret a Mangers, an EAT., and Marks & Spencer's Simply Food, all located either on the square or a short walk down Market Street and Petty Cury. The West Cornwall Pasty Co. looks out on the square from the corner of Market Street and Rose Crescent (literally looks out: there's an odd statue above the door that, if you see it out of the corner of your eye, looks like a real old man standing on a balcony). Dinner options are pretty limited, but Nonna Mexico and Yo!Sushi both have locations on Petty Cury, and Don Pasquale and Stazione offer Italian and Mediterranean food, respectively, with outdoor seating areas if you're so inclined.
Mill Road:
You probably won't want to venture this far afield, but it's worth mentioning. There are several little (untested) takeaways, including a Piri Piri chicken spot and a Korean restaurant. Located not far from one another, you'll find Tulip, which offers Turkish cuisine, and Al-Casbah, which offers Algerian food that, frankly, doesn't seem to be too different from Tulip's menu. The internet cafe CB1 is at the upper end of this stretch of restaurants, and if you happen to be there around lunchtime, they offer a variety of salads, paninis, soups, and platters that are very vegetarian friendly.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Bangkok City
http://www.bangkokcitythai.co.uk/
Green Street
Fare: Thai
Price: £-££
Service Tips: n/a
Bangkok City is never a bad option if you're trying to decide where to eat dinner. The restaurant is on the smaller side, but they can accommodate groups of 6 without too much distress. Just be aware that if you are a bigger group, your food may take a little longer. On the plus side, they offer a student discount of 15%, and that covers the entire check, which more than makes up for any wait.
The menu is pretty extensive, so if you want to branch out and try something new, you'll have that option. If, on the other hand, you love your usual red or green curry, chances are that they'll more than measure up to your expectations. Unlike many Indian and Chinese restaurants in Cambridge, rice is actually included in the price of the entree, so you don't have to order that separately. And they can accommodate special requests, like switching out meat for vegetables even in dishes that don't offer that as an option on the menu. If you don't feel like sitting in, they offer a discount on takeaway (available after 5:30), and delivery over £10 is free within the city center. Note that all of their food is made to order, so you'll still have to wait a bit to get your food.
Green Street
Fare: Thai
Price: £-££
Service Tips: n/a
Bangkok City is never a bad option if you're trying to decide where to eat dinner. The restaurant is on the smaller side, but they can accommodate groups of 6 without too much distress. Just be aware that if you are a bigger group, your food may take a little longer. On the plus side, they offer a student discount of 15%, and that covers the entire check, which more than makes up for any wait.
The menu is pretty extensive, so if you want to branch out and try something new, you'll have that option. If, on the other hand, you love your usual red or green curry, chances are that they'll more than measure up to your expectations. Unlike many Indian and Chinese restaurants in Cambridge, rice is actually included in the price of the entree, so you don't have to order that separately. And they can accommodate special requests, like switching out meat for vegetables even in dishes that don't offer that as an option on the menu. If you don't feel like sitting in, they offer a discount on takeaway (available after 5:30), and delivery over £10 is free within the city center. Note that all of their food is made to order, so you'll still have to wait a bit to get your food.
Aromi
http://www.aromi.co.uk/
Bene't Street
Fare: pizza, focaccia, paninis, Italian desserts, coffee
Price: £
Service Tips: order at the counter and specify whether you want to eat in or take away; they will bring your food to your table, so sit down once you've ordered
You can find Aromi quite easily, because it's the only place with a queue extending out the door and another shopfront down the street. That's partly because their counter area is tiny, so don't let it faze you too much. You might even be able to get a table--there's more seating downstairs, which may not be as charming as the window overlooking Bene't street, but isn't a bad place to eat and chat with friends.
There are probably lots of reasons for the length of the queue, but as I personally have not gotten past the pizza, I'm not qualified to talk about anything else. That being said, the pizza is fantastic. For £4.50, you get two hefty slices with thick crusts and really good toppings. Whether you opt for the basic margherita pizza or go for the more adventurous-looking courgette pizza, you probably won't be disappointed. And if you skip social niceties while ordering, you might get sassed by a cheeky staff member, which isn't so much obnoxious as part of the experience. If you don't want to experience the queue, you can swing by later in the afternoon when they've quieted down a bit, but don't go before noon, because they only serve coffee and pastries in the morning.
Bene't Street
Fare: pizza, focaccia, paninis, Italian desserts, coffee
Price: £
Service Tips: order at the counter and specify whether you want to eat in or take away; they will bring your food to your table, so sit down once you've ordered
You can find Aromi quite easily, because it's the only place with a queue extending out the door and another shopfront down the street. That's partly because their counter area is tiny, so don't let it faze you too much. You might even be able to get a table--there's more seating downstairs, which may not be as charming as the window overlooking Bene't street, but isn't a bad place to eat and chat with friends.
There are probably lots of reasons for the length of the queue, but as I personally have not gotten past the pizza, I'm not qualified to talk about anything else. That being said, the pizza is fantastic. For £4.50, you get two hefty slices with thick crusts and really good toppings. Whether you opt for the basic margherita pizza or go for the more adventurous-looking courgette pizza, you probably won't be disappointed. And if you skip social niceties while ordering, you might get sassed by a cheeky staff member, which isn't so much obnoxious as part of the experience. If you don't want to experience the queue, you can swing by later in the afternoon when they've quieted down a bit, but don't go before noon, because they only serve coffee and pastries in the morning.
Harriet's Tearoom
http://harrietscafetearooms.co.uk/
Green Street
Fare: breakfast, paninis, afternoon tea, cakes
Price: £-££
Service Tips: n/a
Harriet's Tea Room is a lovely little place sequestered between Sidney and Trinity Streets, just down from Sainsbury's. For me, their biggest selling point is their tea: loose leaf, with a few black tea blends unique to Harriet's. Their biggest drawback, on the other hand, is the price. I wouldn't go here for breakfast (the Copper Kettle is cheaper and has a better view), but do go for the afternoon tea. The waitresses all wear the stereotypical maid's outfit, with the cute little black dress, white apron, and white hairpiece (there's probably a name for it, but I have no idea what), and they're usually quite pleasant, although the service can be a little slow. They seem to operate on a principle of bothering the customer as little as possible, so if you haven't been able to snag them for the bill, just go up to the register, since you'll have to pay there anyway.
You have a few options for afternoon tea, from the simpler cream tea, which is a pot of tea and two scones with clotted cream and jam, to the full afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, and, with the "special afternoon tea," an assortment of cakes. If you're sharing the cream tea with someone else, you may want to order a second round of scones--they're smaller than the ones at the Orchard, and nobody wants to skimp on the scones.
Ultimately, Harriet's is a slightly pricier spot for a nice, quiet afternoon tea with a friend, so if you don't think you'll make it out to the Orchard or you like a more refined experience, check them out.
Green Street
Fare: breakfast, paninis, afternoon tea, cakes
Price: £-££
Service Tips: n/a
Harriet's Tea Room is a lovely little place sequestered between Sidney and Trinity Streets, just down from Sainsbury's. For me, their biggest selling point is their tea: loose leaf, with a few black tea blends unique to Harriet's. Their biggest drawback, on the other hand, is the price. I wouldn't go here for breakfast (the Copper Kettle is cheaper and has a better view), but do go for the afternoon tea. The waitresses all wear the stereotypical maid's outfit, with the cute little black dress, white apron, and white hairpiece (there's probably a name for it, but I have no idea what), and they're usually quite pleasant, although the service can be a little slow. They seem to operate on a principle of bothering the customer as little as possible, so if you haven't been able to snag them for the bill, just go up to the register, since you'll have to pay there anyway.
You have a few options for afternoon tea, from the simpler cream tea, which is a pot of tea and two scones with clotted cream and jam, to the full afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, and, with the "special afternoon tea," an assortment of cakes. If you're sharing the cream tea with someone else, you may want to order a second round of scones--they're smaller than the ones at the Orchard, and nobody wants to skimp on the scones.
Ultimately, Harriet's is a slightly pricier spot for a nice, quiet afternoon tea with a friend, so if you don't think you'll make it out to the Orchard or you like a more refined experience, check them out.
Golden House
No website; Telephone #
Corner of Regent Street and Lensfield Road
Fare: Chinese, Thai, Malaysian?
Price: £
Service Tips: n/a
Golden House is a tiny little takeaway sandwiched between another takeaway and a big Mediterranean restaurant, and it looks like the sort of place you might avoid for fear of intestinal distress. As it turns out, they are both safe AND inexpensive, so brave the exterior to discover what's inside.
They don't have a menu available online, at least not in English, so you'll have to stop by for a paper menu, but the service is fast, so you won't be waiting for long. The food will not quite be up to the par of a sit-down restaurant, but if you're craving fried rice or sweet and sour chicken, it's good value for the price. If you do have a menu and don't feel like taking a short hike down to the corner of Lensfield and Regent, they offer free delivery over £10??
Corner of Regent Street and Lensfield Road
Fare: Chinese, Thai, Malaysian?
Price: £
Service Tips: n/a
Golden House is a tiny little takeaway sandwiched between another takeaway and a big Mediterranean restaurant, and it looks like the sort of place you might avoid for fear of intestinal distress. As it turns out, they are both safe AND inexpensive, so brave the exterior to discover what's inside.
They don't have a menu available online, at least not in English, so you'll have to stop by for a paper menu, but the service is fast, so you won't be waiting for long. The food will not quite be up to the par of a sit-down restaurant, but if you're craving fried rice or sweet and sour chicken, it's good value for the price. If you do have a menu and don't feel like taking a short hike down to the corner of Lensfield and Regent, they offer free delivery over £10??
The Copper Kettle
http://thecopperkettle.weebly.com/
King's Parade
Fare: English breakfast, paninis, etc. during the day; Mediterranean at night
Price: £/day; ££/night
Service Tips: Often the waitress will leave your receipt on the table as soon as or before your food comes out--just take it up to the register when you're ready to go
[This review focuses on their breakfast experience]
The Copper Kettle is one of those places that tourists pack into for the excellent view of King's College, which is perfectly framed by the huge windows looking out on the street. It looks especially pretty if you happen to be there early on a foggy morning, but snag a window table regardless of the weather. Because they get so busy, the best time to go is probably for breakfast on a weekday. I can't authoritatively speak for other times, since I've avoided them, but what you're really here for is a proper English breakfast anyway (surprise!).
Of course, ambiance isn't everything. The food is usually decent, nothing too fancy, but they're not doing anything cruel to their toast. Full English breakfast involves eggs, local sausages, bacon, a hash brown, beans, toast, and a grilled tomato. The vegetarian English breakfast is all of that, hold the sausages and bacon, add mushrooms. For Americans: English bacon is a little closer to Canadian bacon, in that it has less fat and more meat, so you're probably being a bit too optimistic if you expect seriously charred, crispy bacon. There are other options on the menu, like pastries and parfaits, and they also have an espresso bar, so you can order a cappuccino (again, decent but not spectacular), or opt for a simple pot of tea. If you go when it's slow, food comes out quite quickly, which is nice.
All in all, the main glamour is in the location, but you probably won't leave disappointed unless you absolutely hate beans.
King's Parade
Fare: English breakfast, paninis, etc. during the day; Mediterranean at night
Price: £/day; ££/night
Service Tips: Often the waitress will leave your receipt on the table as soon as or before your food comes out--just take it up to the register when you're ready to go
[This review focuses on their breakfast experience]
The Copper Kettle is one of those places that tourists pack into for the excellent view of King's College, which is perfectly framed by the huge windows looking out on the street. It looks especially pretty if you happen to be there early on a foggy morning, but snag a window table regardless of the weather. Because they get so busy, the best time to go is probably for breakfast on a weekday. I can't authoritatively speak for other times, since I've avoided them, but what you're really here for is a proper English breakfast anyway (surprise!).
Of course, ambiance isn't everything. The food is usually decent, nothing too fancy, but they're not doing anything cruel to their toast. Full English breakfast involves eggs, local sausages, bacon, a hash brown, beans, toast, and a grilled tomato. The vegetarian English breakfast is all of that, hold the sausages and bacon, add mushrooms. For Americans: English bacon is a little closer to Canadian bacon, in that it has less fat and more meat, so you're probably being a bit too optimistic if you expect seriously charred, crispy bacon. There are other options on the menu, like pastries and parfaits, and they also have an espresso bar, so you can order a cappuccino (again, decent but not spectacular), or opt for a simple pot of tea. If you go when it's slow, food comes out quite quickly, which is nice.
All in all, the main glamour is in the location, but you probably won't leave disappointed unless you absolutely hate beans.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Saffron Brasserie
http://www.saffron-brasserie.co.uk/
Hills Road
Fare: Indian, Bangladeshi
Price: £-££
Service Tips: n/a
Saffron Brasserie is a great Indian restaurant located just a little way down Hills Rd (as if you were walking toward the train station). According to at least one person who ought to know, it's the best Indian food in town, and that's high praise for an area that seems to be bursting with great places to stop for a curry.
The options are pretty par for the course, and they have a very good selection of vegetarian dishes. The food itself is top notch, plus prices are relatively low, especially with respect to their dishes that contain meat, which seem to be slightly below the usual price for Cambridge. As usual, you'll have to order rice separately. All around solid choice.
Hills Road
Fare: Indian, Bangladeshi
Price: £-££
Service Tips: n/a
Saffron Brasserie is a great Indian restaurant located just a little way down Hills Rd (as if you were walking toward the train station). According to at least one person who ought to know, it's the best Indian food in town, and that's high praise for an area that seems to be bursting with great places to stop for a curry.
The options are pretty par for the course, and they have a very good selection of vegetarian dishes. The food itself is top notch, plus prices are relatively low, especially with respect to their dishes that contain meat, which seem to be slightly below the usual price for Cambridge. As usual, you'll have to order rice separately. All around solid choice.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Fitzbillies
Website: www.fitzbillies.com
Corner of Trumpington and Pembroke Streets
Fare: coffee, pastries, afternoon tea, desserts, sandwiches, dinner
Price: £
Service Tips: one side is the cafe, other side is the bakery counter and table service; all takeaway espresso drinks are 8 oz
Fitzbillies is a must for any student staying anywhere near Trumpington Street, especially if it's early in the morning and you're desperate for a caffeine fix. Fortunately, your nearest coffee shop, aka this one, is fabulous. To be fair, Caffé Nero is a bit less expensive and more spacious, but you have to go to Fitzbillies at least once, and I highly recommend being there between 8:45 and 9AM when the chelsea buns are made available. Rumor has it that you might be able to get one while it's still warm from the oven, although this doesn't always work, and if you get there too early, they may not have them at all. For the uninformed, chelsea buns are like sticky buns, except they have thinner dough, so there are more spirals to fill with cinnamon-y goodness, plus they're packed with currants. The syrup tastes like it might be sweetened with honey. In other words, it's the perfect complement to a cup of coffee, although it is not for the faint of heart.
As far as the coffee goes, their espresso drinks are all pretty well done, and they actually serve iced coffee all year round. Word to the wise: all of their drinks come in one size, but the size is specific to the drink, so if you want a smaller espresso + milk beverage, you should order a cappuccino, and if you want a larger espresso + milk beverage, you should order a latte. That works if you're staying in, but all takeaway drinks appear to be 8 oz. The jury is still out on what exactly a flat white is, at least Fitzbillies-style. Whatever it is, it looks and tastes identical with a cappuccino, so let me know if you discern its true nature.
As food goes, their grilled cheeses make a great takeaway option, and their scones are pretty good. All of their food prices go up pretty quickly if you're staying in, so don't be too surprised if you end up spending an extra pound or two that way. Generally, it will be a little more expensive than some places, but it's a nice spot and the coffee and food rarely disappoint.
Corner of Trumpington and Pembroke Streets
Fare: coffee, pastries, afternoon tea, desserts, sandwiches, dinner
Price: £
Service Tips: one side is the cafe, other side is the bakery counter and table service; all takeaway espresso drinks are 8 oz
Fitzbillies is a must for any student staying anywhere near Trumpington Street, especially if it's early in the morning and you're desperate for a caffeine fix. Fortunately, your nearest coffee shop, aka this one, is fabulous. To be fair, Caffé Nero is a bit less expensive and more spacious, but you have to go to Fitzbillies at least once, and I highly recommend being there between 8:45 and 9AM when the chelsea buns are made available. Rumor has it that you might be able to get one while it's still warm from the oven, although this doesn't always work, and if you get there too early, they may not have them at all. For the uninformed, chelsea buns are like sticky buns, except they have thinner dough, so there are more spirals to fill with cinnamon-y goodness, plus they're packed with currants. The syrup tastes like it might be sweetened with honey. In other words, it's the perfect complement to a cup of coffee, although it is not for the faint of heart.
As far as the coffee goes, their espresso drinks are all pretty well done, and they actually serve iced coffee all year round. Word to the wise: all of their drinks come in one size, but the size is specific to the drink, so if you want a smaller espresso + milk beverage, you should order a cappuccino, and if you want a larger espresso + milk beverage, you should order a latte. That works if you're staying in, but all takeaway drinks appear to be 8 oz. The jury is still out on what exactly a flat white is, at least Fitzbillies-style. Whatever it is, it looks and tastes identical with a cappuccino, so let me know if you discern its true nature.
As food goes, their grilled cheeses make a great takeaway option, and their scones are pretty good. All of their food prices go up pretty quickly if you're staying in, so don't be too surprised if you end up spending an extra pound or two that way. Generally, it will be a little more expensive than some places, but it's a nice spot and the coffee and food rarely disappoint.
Caffe Nero *Needs Revising*
Website: www.caffenero.com
King's Parade / Market Street
Fare: coffee, tea, pastries, desserts, sandwiches, juice, smoothies, hot chocolate
Price: £
Service Tips: leave dishes on table, water is self-serve, whoever takes your order will also ring you up, make sure to ask for milk when you order, sizes are regular (12oz) and grande
Caffé Nero is basically the place where you will live in the morning if you happen to require coffee and like working in coffee shops. As a general rule, we all like the one on King's Parade better -- they're just nicer and seem less stressed, plus the one on Market Street manages to feel really cluttered, even though it's much more spacious. The americanos are cheap (£2.10 for a regular to have in), and if you're a big coffee drinker, they have a frequent buyer stamp card so you can get your tenth coffee free.
If you like to enjoy your coffee shops in peace and quiet, try going in before 10. They start filling up with students and friends who are meeting up around that time, and it can get pretty noisy. Ultimately, unless you're a serious coffee snob, go to Caffé Nero, because they won't mess up your coffee, and it's a million times better than Starbucks.
King's Parade / Market Street
Fare: coffee, tea, pastries, desserts, sandwiches, juice, smoothies, hot chocolate
Price: £
Service Tips: leave dishes on table, water is self-serve, whoever takes your order will also ring you up, make sure to ask for milk when you order, sizes are regular (12oz) and grande
Caffé Nero is basically the place where you will live in the morning if you happen to require coffee and like working in coffee shops. As a general rule, we all like the one on King's Parade better -- they're just nicer and seem less stressed, plus the one on Market Street manages to feel really cluttered, even though it's much more spacious. The americanos are cheap (£2.10 for a regular to have in), and if you're a big coffee drinker, they have a frequent buyer stamp card so you can get your tenth coffee free.
If you like to enjoy your coffee shops in peace and quiet, try going in before 10. They start filling up with students and friends who are meeting up around that time, and it can get pretty noisy. Ultimately, unless you're a serious coffee snob, go to Caffé Nero, because they won't mess up your coffee, and it's a million times better than Starbucks.
Hot Numbers Coffee
Website: www.hotnumberscoffee.co.uk
Dales Brewery, Gwydir Street (just off Mill Rd, south of Parker's Piece)
Fare: house roasted coffees, tea, Fitzbillies pastries, breakfast, sandwiches, bottled drinks, wine & beer
Price Range: £-££
Service Tips: leave dishes at table
Reviewers Tried: 8 oz. cappuccino (Brazil Sertaozinho); iced latte; porridge w/ prunes & honey
This little coffee shop is a bit of a walk, but if you have the time and you love seriously good coffee, Hot Numbers is a gem and well worth the effort. First of all, they're an independent small batch coffee roaster -- music to my ears, anyway. They've incorporated that into quite a nice menu, where you can actually choose from one of three different single origin espressos, served as a 2, 4, 8, or 10 oz. americano or traditional cappuccino. They also offer another roast for "filter" coffees, in this case, not drip coffee, but rather a choice of aeropress, syphon, or pour over. For those who are inclined to have their coffee over ice, that's also an option, and they even shake their iced lattes, which doesn't necessarily accomplish anything special, but the end result looks pretty. You can even get a single origin decaf there, which is a feat in and of itself.
The cafe itself looks like a great place to work, with a couple of large wooden tables meant for group work (if you've been to Fitzbillies, it's like the long table they have on the cafe side, except that Hot Numbers has at least four of those, and they look like they can far more comfortably accommodate a large group). It's nice and sunny with the big front window, and they double as an art gallery, so you can peruse the collection or just enjoy the ambiance of a clean, artsy cafe that knows how to make your coffee right. Plus, they serve Fitzbillies' pastries, so if you want all the goodness without all the crowdedness, Hot Numbers is the place to go.
Dales Brewery, Gwydir Street (just off Mill Rd, south of Parker's Piece)
Fare: house roasted coffees, tea, Fitzbillies pastries, breakfast, sandwiches, bottled drinks, wine & beer
Price Range: £-££
Service Tips: leave dishes at table
Reviewers Tried: 8 oz. cappuccino (Brazil Sertaozinho); iced latte; porridge w/ prunes & honey
This little coffee shop is a bit of a walk, but if you have the time and you love seriously good coffee, Hot Numbers is a gem and well worth the effort. First of all, they're an independent small batch coffee roaster -- music to my ears, anyway. They've incorporated that into quite a nice menu, where you can actually choose from one of three different single origin espressos, served as a 2, 4, 8, or 10 oz. americano or traditional cappuccino. They also offer another roast for "filter" coffees, in this case, not drip coffee, but rather a choice of aeropress, syphon, or pour over. For those who are inclined to have their coffee over ice, that's also an option, and they even shake their iced lattes, which doesn't necessarily accomplish anything special, but the end result looks pretty. You can even get a single origin decaf there, which is a feat in and of itself.
The cafe itself looks like a great place to work, with a couple of large wooden tables meant for group work (if you've been to Fitzbillies, it's like the long table they have on the cafe side, except that Hot Numbers has at least four of those, and they look like they can far more comfortably accommodate a large group). It's nice and sunny with the big front window, and they double as an art gallery, so you can peruse the collection or just enjoy the ambiance of a clean, artsy cafe that knows how to make your coffee right. Plus, they serve Fitzbillies' pastries, so if you want all the goodness without all the crowdedness, Hot Numbers is the place to go.
Monday, February 24, 2014
The Orchard
Website: www.orchard-grantchester.com
Mill Way, Grantchester
Fare: afternoon tea, desserts, lunch menu
Price: £-££
Service Tips: they have a cafeteria set-up where you go through a self-serve line, but you can order sandwiches, salads, and hot drinks at the end where you pay; sugar is not set out on the tables; there are signs outside about table busing if you sit in the orchard
This charming tea spot is a 45-minute walk from Pembroke if you take the paved walking path out through the Grantchester Meadows along the River Cam. The Orchard is sort of a historical landmark and is especially famous for hosting the likes of Rupert Brooke, Sylvia Plath, A.A. Milne, and a variety of other creative and intellectual figures who've haunted its lawn chairs and taken tea amid the rambly old trees from which it takes its name. If you happen to go on a wet or chilly day, never fear: they have plenty of indoor seating, and it's spacious enough that even when it's busy, it probably doesn't feel too cramped.
While Harriet's or Auntie's are much closer, the Orchard is the place to go for huge, fresh scones, scrumptious clotted cream, and some seriously good honey. Harriet's has better tea, because they use loose leaf and have their own blends, but the scones, which are baked fresh in house, more than make up for any lack on the Orchard's part. Plus, it's a bit less expensive than the places in town, and it's positively bursting with character. If you fancy a look around before heading back, there's also the Brooke Museum, and probably some other interesting bits besides.
Mill Way, Grantchester
Fare: afternoon tea, desserts, lunch menu
Price: £-££
Service Tips: they have a cafeteria set-up where you go through a self-serve line, but you can order sandwiches, salads, and hot drinks at the end where you pay; sugar is not set out on the tables; there are signs outside about table busing if you sit in the orchard
This charming tea spot is a 45-minute walk from Pembroke if you take the paved walking path out through the Grantchester Meadows along the River Cam. The Orchard is sort of a historical landmark and is especially famous for hosting the likes of Rupert Brooke, Sylvia Plath, A.A. Milne, and a variety of other creative and intellectual figures who've haunted its lawn chairs and taken tea amid the rambly old trees from which it takes its name. If you happen to go on a wet or chilly day, never fear: they have plenty of indoor seating, and it's spacious enough that even when it's busy, it probably doesn't feel too cramped.
While Harriet's or Auntie's are much closer, the Orchard is the place to go for huge, fresh scones, scrumptious clotted cream, and some seriously good honey. Harriet's has better tea, because they use loose leaf and have their own blends, but the scones, which are baked fresh in house, more than make up for any lack on the Orchard's part. Plus, it's a bit less expensive than the places in town, and it's positively bursting with character. If you fancy a look around before heading back, there's also the Brooke Museum, and probably some other interesting bits besides.
Cafe Naz
Website: www.cafenaz.co.uk
45/47 Castle Street, Castle Hill
Fare: Indian, Bangladeshi
Price: £-££ (without drinks)
Service Tips: don't open for dinner until 6; water on the tables is free; can modify meat entrees to make them vegetarian; can accommodate large groups, but service may not be as great
This restaurant is a bit of a walk to the north side of town and up Castle Hill, but as quality of food goes, it's pretty top notch. The menu features a lot of dishes that you'll probably recognize if you've eaten Indian food much at home, but there are also a few surprises, and the Bangladeshi options may not be as familiar. One of the quirkier aspects of Cafe Naz is its decor, which its website describes as "minimalist," "dynamic," and "light and airy." To be fair, it is quite modern with lots of white walls, glass, and stylin' blue lighting, plus, they make really cool serviette towers that could rival Orthanc for size.
Some general observations, though. The food is very good, especially for the price. They're great about altering dishes for vegetarians in addition to the decently large vegetarian menu, and they can also tinker with the spiciness of your order, including adding spice to dishes that aren't usually spicy. Note that rice does not come with your order (plain = regular white rice, pilau = basmati, often with some seasonings/garnish), and the popadums they'll offer you are not free, although they're not terribly expensive either. The service was a little patchy with a group of five, but we got there right as they were opening for dinner, and we had a lot of special requests, so that may have had something to do with it. Also, if you go on a Saturday evening, you're bound to be waiting a bit for your food, but it's well worth the wait. Just make sure to give yourself time if you need to be somewhere after dinner.
As a last note, they do have a (currently untested) lunch buffet offered at the attractive price of £6.95, and that's available every day from 12-3 except Saturdays.
45/47 Castle Street, Castle Hill
Fare: Indian, Bangladeshi
Price: £-££ (without drinks)
Service Tips: don't open for dinner until 6; water on the tables is free; can modify meat entrees to make them vegetarian; can accommodate large groups, but service may not be as great
This restaurant is a bit of a walk to the north side of town and up Castle Hill, but as quality of food goes, it's pretty top notch. The menu features a lot of dishes that you'll probably recognize if you've eaten Indian food much at home, but there are also a few surprises, and the Bangladeshi options may not be as familiar. One of the quirkier aspects of Cafe Naz is its decor, which its website describes as "minimalist," "dynamic," and "light and airy." To be fair, it is quite modern with lots of white walls, glass, and stylin' blue lighting, plus, they make really cool serviette towers that could rival Orthanc for size.
Some general observations, though. The food is very good, especially for the price. They're great about altering dishes for vegetarians in addition to the decently large vegetarian menu, and they can also tinker with the spiciness of your order, including adding spice to dishes that aren't usually spicy. Note that rice does not come with your order (plain = regular white rice, pilau = basmati, often with some seasonings/garnish), and the popadums they'll offer you are not free, although they're not terribly expensive either. The service was a little patchy with a group of five, but we got there right as they were opening for dinner, and we had a lot of special requests, so that may have had something to do with it. Also, if you go on a Saturday evening, you're bound to be waiting a bit for your food, but it's well worth the wait. Just make sure to give yourself time if you need to be somewhere after dinner.
As a last note, they do have a (currently untested) lunch buffet offered at the attractive price of £6.95, and that's available every day from 12-3 except Saturdays.
Coffee Shops: How to Not Sound Like an American AND Get What You Want
As a barista who has worked in a variety of different coffee shops, I am keenly aware of the fact that each coffee shop has a different way of doing things, even though the end products are pretty much the same (leaving out important factors like quality, of course). An americano is still just espresso and hot water, whether you're ordering it at an independent place or a chain. But if you're the sort of person who doesn't feel like making a scene just so you can get your morning fix, here are a few things I've picked up along the way.
1. Drip coffee does not exist.
This is not strictly true, or at least, I don't think it is. They have this thing they call "filter coffee," which is what English friends offer up hesitantly any time an American says "drip coffee." As far as I can tell, however, filter coffee is literally any form of coffee brewing that includes a filter, so that could be anything from an aeropress to a French press and maybe even a real coffee maker. Thus far, the hunt for a coffee maker has felt more like a hunt for snipe, and frankly, I'm not all that committed.
Since I'm rambling, what you're probably more interested in is what you'll get instead, and that would be an americano. Unless you know in advance that you loathe americanos, I think you'll come to enjoy this change. If you think about it, you're giving up what was probably stale, old coffee for two freshly ground, freshly pulled shots of espresso in boiling hot water -- unless you hate the pleasant bitterness of a good crema, there's nothing there that's not to love.
2. The difference between "in" and "out" prices is the VAT (and possibly other factors)
It's not uncommon for someone at home to come in to the shop where I work and ask for a to go cup, even if they're planning to sit down, because they might not finish it and it'll keep their coffee warm longer. But here, when you ask for something to take away, it often means that it falls under different tax rules than if you're staying in. I'm guessing that ordering something to take away if you're planning to sit down is frowned upon, although I haven't really tried it, but do try to be respectful of that distinction when you're ordering. It's usually no more than a few pence, the exception being things like chelsea buns, but then they might be taxed differently so... It's odd, but it's just the way things are.
3. You have to ask for milk.
Most places don't put milk out on the counter, so make sure you ask for it when you're ordering. If you're having it in, they'll probably give you a little pitcher of some sort, and if you're taking it out, they'll put it in for you, so if you're super picky, make sure you specify in advance. Speaking of specifying...
4. Your milk choices are skimmed, semi-skimmed, whole, or soya.
I haven't really interviewed any baristas about this sort of thing, but I've never heard anyone use the word "nonfat" here, and I totally eavesdrop on other people's ordering styles. Wait, scratch that, there was a woman who walked into Caffé Nero once and ordered a "large nonfat latte," but she confirms my theory, because she had to repeat herself three times to be understood.
5. Do read menus, and if you're unsure, ask questions.
Different places have different sizes. Some places only have one size, like Fitzbillies. Some places have odd ways of ordering things, like Hot Numbers. It helps if you read the menu beforehand, but sometimes it's just not that clear.
6. "Macchiato" probably doesn't mean what you think it means. (Inconceivable!)
Okay, so maybe you do actually know this, but traditionally, macchiatos are just espresso with a dollop of foam. Technically, it comes from the Italian for "marked," so Starbucks gets away with using the term because, as anyone knows if they've ordered an iced caramel macchiato, the shots are poured on top, and it creates a distinctive color difference between the top and the bottom. The bottom line: if you're expecting at least 8 ounces of beverage when you order a macchiato, you're going to be disappointed. If, however, you like trying new espresso drinks, there's also the espresso con panna, which is even more fun: espresso with whipped cream on top.
7. At most (all?) places, the staff bus your table.
This one was probably the oddest part for me, being used to Panera culture, but it's expected that you leave your dishes on the table when you're done. They're used to it. They're paid better. I still feel weird about it, but maybe that's just my absurd sensitivity.
Hopefully that helps, and hopefully I haven't just stressed you out by making you think about your coffee experience far more than you usually do. I promise, it's really not stressful, and it can be quite novel, at least until it becomes old hat. If you do feel more comfortable going to Starbucks, then that's cool, but I would recommend trying out the other options while you're here, and if you do go to Starbucks, see if they don't have different specialty drinks from the ones available at home. I once got a dark chocolate raspberry frappuccino in Brasil that was heavenly and definitely not an option in the States.
1. Drip coffee does not exist.
This is not strictly true, or at least, I don't think it is. They have this thing they call "filter coffee," which is what English friends offer up hesitantly any time an American says "drip coffee." As far as I can tell, however, filter coffee is literally any form of coffee brewing that includes a filter, so that could be anything from an aeropress to a French press and maybe even a real coffee maker. Thus far, the hunt for a coffee maker has felt more like a hunt for snipe, and frankly, I'm not all that committed.
Since I'm rambling, what you're probably more interested in is what you'll get instead, and that would be an americano. Unless you know in advance that you loathe americanos, I think you'll come to enjoy this change. If you think about it, you're giving up what was probably stale, old coffee for two freshly ground, freshly pulled shots of espresso in boiling hot water -- unless you hate the pleasant bitterness of a good crema, there's nothing there that's not to love.
2. The difference between "in" and "out" prices is the VAT (and possibly other factors)
It's not uncommon for someone at home to come in to the shop where I work and ask for a to go cup, even if they're planning to sit down, because they might not finish it and it'll keep their coffee warm longer. But here, when you ask for something to take away, it often means that it falls under different tax rules than if you're staying in. I'm guessing that ordering something to take away if you're planning to sit down is frowned upon, although I haven't really tried it, but do try to be respectful of that distinction when you're ordering. It's usually no more than a few pence, the exception being things like chelsea buns, but then they might be taxed differently so... It's odd, but it's just the way things are.
3. You have to ask for milk.
Most places don't put milk out on the counter, so make sure you ask for it when you're ordering. If you're having it in, they'll probably give you a little pitcher of some sort, and if you're taking it out, they'll put it in for you, so if you're super picky, make sure you specify in advance. Speaking of specifying...
4. Your milk choices are skimmed, semi-skimmed, whole, or soya.
I haven't really interviewed any baristas about this sort of thing, but I've never heard anyone use the word "nonfat" here, and I totally eavesdrop on other people's ordering styles. Wait, scratch that, there was a woman who walked into Caffé Nero once and ordered a "large nonfat latte," but she confirms my theory, because she had to repeat herself three times to be understood.
5. Do read menus, and if you're unsure, ask questions.
Different places have different sizes. Some places only have one size, like Fitzbillies. Some places have odd ways of ordering things, like Hot Numbers. It helps if you read the menu beforehand, but sometimes it's just not that clear.
6. "Macchiato" probably doesn't mean what you think it means. (Inconceivable!)
Okay, so maybe you do actually know this, but traditionally, macchiatos are just espresso with a dollop of foam. Technically, it comes from the Italian for "marked," so Starbucks gets away with using the term because, as anyone knows if they've ordered an iced caramel macchiato, the shots are poured on top, and it creates a distinctive color difference between the top and the bottom. The bottom line: if you're expecting at least 8 ounces of beverage when you order a macchiato, you're going to be disappointed. If, however, you like trying new espresso drinks, there's also the espresso con panna, which is even more fun: espresso with whipped cream on top.
7. At most (all?) places, the staff bus your table.
This one was probably the oddest part for me, being used to Panera culture, but it's expected that you leave your dishes on the table when you're done. They're used to it. They're paid better. I still feel weird about it, but maybe that's just my absurd sensitivity.
Hopefully that helps, and hopefully I haven't just stressed you out by making you think about your coffee experience far more than you usually do. I promise, it's really not stressful, and it can be quite novel, at least until it becomes old hat. If you do feel more comfortable going to Starbucks, then that's cool, but I would recommend trying out the other options while you're here, and if you do go to Starbucks, see if they don't have different specialty drinks from the ones available at home. I once got a dark chocolate raspberry frappuccino in Brasil that was heavenly and definitely not an option in the States.
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