Monthly Archives: February 2014

Back to the Garden – Letheringsett, Norfolk (UK)

Posted on by
Reply

Happenstance…something that happens by chance bringing about a good result. This isn’t a word I use on a regular basis but it describes perfectly my visit to Back to the Garden, a farm shop, café and restaurant in Letheringsett, near Holt. My husband Paulo and I were on our way to Holt and Back to the Garden’s clean, modern signage from the A148 caught my eye. I have a penchant for visiting farm shops so we decided to stop and have a look.

farm shop

cafe1

I was immediately impressed by the majestic barn and its double-height windows set against traditional barn doors, which give the illusion of being flung open.

Everything about the building said “come on in”. You can’t get a better welcome than that.

Continue reading →

Cafe@abantu – Bourn, Cambridge (UK)

Posted on by
6

UPDATE: Cafe@abantu is no longer located at Manor Farm, Bourn. In July 2016, it moved to Wysing Arts Centre which is also located in Bourn. It’s run by the same owner who continues to provide their popular menu, as well as some new items. It is a beautiful setting that includes an outdoor terrace and free parking. I wrote an updated post so click on this link to read about the new cafe@Abantu.

UPDATE 2: In January 2018, Cafe@abantu moved from Bourn to Cambridge at a city centre location at 42 Hobson Street, CB1 1NL (where Stickybeaks used to be). Read my post on the new location here.

Cafe@abantu is a charming tearoom and shop located on Manor Farm in the village of Bourn.

Tucked away in converted stables with pedestrian access for locals “in the know”, it is literally a hidden gem.

For those driving in, turn into the path by the sign and A-board opposite the surgery then make a loop around to the car park in front of the café. You will be greeted by a lovely patio with ample seating, perfect for those sunny days.

Abantu Continue reading →

Love Food 2014 – Barton, Cambridge (UK)

Posted on by
Reply

Love Food, Burwash Manor‘s “fabulous festival of foodiness” was held on 15-16 February, 2014 at Burwash Food Hall and The Larder. I love events like this as they’re perfect for discovering a variety of new products.

It’s always exciting to see what independent food producers are concocting in their kitchens and how they bring their ideas and products to fruition for the enjoyment of food enthusiasts like me.

It’s also a rare opportunity to interact with the producers and for me, the best part is hearing them talk passionately about their products. I can’t help but admire people who have the strength, drive and determination to set up their own food business… and they all do it because they love food and want to share their products with the world.

love sign2

Continue reading →

Pint Shop – Cambridge (UK)

Posted on by
Reply

It’s a pleasure to see an independent restaurant in Cambridge perfecting the balance between comfort food and an innovative menu, embracing the classics of the past but with an eye (or palate) towards the future. Pint Shop is located in Cambridge’s popular foodie quarter in a beautiful building that has been sympathetically and functionally refurbished. This wasn’t my first visit to Pint Shop. I was at the soft launch back in November 2013. In fact, it was their third-ever service and it went off without a hitch. I’ve been a Pint Shop addict ever since.

Husband and beer matrix

Husband and beer matrix

Continue reading →

Tuna, Bean and Roasted Red Pepper Salad with Dijon Dressing

Posted on by
Reply

Don’t feel like cooking over a hot stove?

With just a little chopping and whisking you’ll have a protein-packed salad that is healthy and filling.

My husband and I usually have this as our main meal but it can be served as a starter for 4 people.

chop

Continue reading →

Archives

Posted on by
Reply

RESTAURANTS
2014
Pint Shop – Cambridge (UK) (14.02.2014)
Cafe@abantu – Bourn, Cambridge (UK) (19.02.2014)
Back to the Garden – Letheringsett, Norfolk (UK) (25.02.2014)
The Crown Hotel – Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk (UK) (02.03.2014)
Delifonseca Stanley Street – Liverpool (UK) (12.03.2014)
Salt House Tapas – Liverpool (UK) (18.03.2014)
The Cholmondeley Arms – Cholmondeley, Malpas, Cheshire (UK) (20.03.2014)
No.77 – Caxton, Cambridgeshire (UK) (21.03.2014)
Etsu Japanese Restaurant – Liverpool (UK) (01.04.2014)
Delifonseca Dockside – Liverpool (UK) (04.04.2014)
The Salthouse Eaterie, Salthouse Harbour Hotel – Ipswich, Suffolk (UK) (24.04.2014)
Jimmy’s Restaurant – Ipswich, Suffolk (UK) (07.05.2014)
Lunya – Liverpool (UK) (27.05.2014)
Sticks’n’Sushi – Covent Garden, London (UK) (31.05.2014)
Mill Street Brew Pub – Toronto (Canada) (23.06.2014)
Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Crabshack – Covent Garden, London (UK) (07.07.2014)
Cabana – Westfield Stratford City, London (UK) (25.07.2014)
SoLITA – Northern Quarter, Manchester (UK) (09.08.2014)
SmokeWorks – Free School Lane, Cambridge (UK) (15.08.2014)
GaNaDaRa – Montreal (Canada) (19.09.2014)
The Dining Room, Poets House – Ely, Cambridgeshire (UK) (21.10.2014)
Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar – Haymarket, London (UK) (28.11.2014)
The Architect – Cambridge (UK) (01.12.2014)
Bread & Meat – Cambridge (UK) (09.12.2014)
2015
Doughnut Tasting at SmokeWorks – Cambridge (UK) (09.02.2015)
Japas – Cambridge (UK) (21.02.2015)
The Anchor Inn – Morston, Norfolk (UK) (24.02.2015)
The White Horse – Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk (UK) (28.02.2015)
Espresso Library – Cambridge (UK) (09.03.2015)
Casa Del Mar – Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (UK) (19.03.2015)
Menu Tasting at The Cock – Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire (UK) (08.05.2015)
The Cock – Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire (UK) (08.07.2015)
Provenance at Burwash Manor – Barton, Cambridge (UK) (13.07.2015)
The Cowshed – Bath (UK) (17.08.2015)
The Stable – Bath (UK) (23.08.2015)
Nosh & Quaff – Birmingham (UK) (28.08.2015)
Pig Out BBQ – Pickering, Ontario (Canada) (07.09.2015)
Douro – Montreal (Canada) (23.09.2015)
Ondine – Edinburgh (UK) (15.10.2015)
The Chequers – Orwell, Cambridgeshire (UK) (05.11.2015)
The House – Cambridge (UK) (05.11.2015)
Bridges – Cambridge (UK) (21.11.2015)
Yippee Noodle Bar – Cambridge (UK) (05.12.2015)
2016
Fired Up at No.77 – Caxton, Cambridgeshire (UK) (10.01.2016)
Mee and I – Cambridge (UK) (03.02.2016)
The Crown & Punchbowl – Horningsea, Cambridge (UK) (05.03.2016)
Osteria Waggon & Horses – Milton, Cambridge (UK) (06.03.2016)
The Flitch of Bacon – Little Dunmow, Essex (UK) (13.03.2016
Cambridge Cookery School Café – Cambridge (UK) (22.03.2016)
Prana – Cambridge (UK) (30.04.2016)
Sticks’n’Sushi – Cambridge (UK) (06.05.2016)
The Plough – Shepreth, Cambridgeshire (UK) (17.06.2016)
Camino – King’s Cross, London (UK) (10.08.2016)
Lagona – Cambridge (UK) (21.09.2016)
Café Rouge – Cambridge (UK) (08.11.2016)
2017
Café@abantu, Wysing Arts Centre – Bourn, Cambridge (UK) (30.01.2017)
Steak & Honour Restaurant – Cambridge (UK) (03.02.2017)
Sweet Vaasa – Vaasa (Finland) (06.02.2017)
1H+K – Vaasa (Finland) (09.02.2017)
Signorelli’s Deli – Cambridge (UK) (13.02.2017)
The Ship Hotel – Brancaster, Norfolk (UK) (01.03.2017)
Eric’s Fish & Chips – Thornham, Norfolk (UK) (08.03.2017)
Squires Restaurant, Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa – Newmarket, Suffolk (UK) (12.03.2017)
Giggling Squid – Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (UK) (14.03.2017)
The Cambridge Chop House – Cambridge (UK) (30.03.2017)
Cambridge Cookery School Café’s Saturday Evening Menu – Cambridge (UK) (12.04.2017)
Sunday Lunch at The Plough – Shepreth, Cambridgeshire (UK) (17.04.2017)
Nando’s, Cambridge Retail Park – Cambridge (UK) (21.04.2017)
Café Rouge’s Spring Menu – Cambridge (UK) (06.05.2017)
Browns – Cambridge (UK) (13.05.2017)
Momofuku – Toronto (Canada) (12.06.2017)
Pie’za Pizzeria – Niagara-on-the-Lake (Canada) (20.06.2017)
Jump – Toronto (Canada) (24.06.2017)
SmokeWorks – Station Road, Cambridge (UK) (01.07.2017)
Issho – Leeds (UK) (05.07.2017)
Soboro Bakery – Cambridge (UK) (29.07.2017)
Hot Numbers – Gwydir Street, Cambridge (UK) (09.08.2017)
The Muddlers Club – Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK) (24.08.2017)
Tamburlaine Restaurant and Bar – Cambridge (UK) (02.09.2017)
The Architect – Cambridge (UK) (10.09.2017)
Ox – Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK) (23.09.2017)
Pint Shop Tasting Lunch – Cambridge (UK) (05.10.2017)
The Red House – Longstowe, Cambridgeshire (UK) (03.12.2017)
The Moringa Tree – Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire (UK) (07.12.2017)
2018
The Three Horseshoes – Madingley, Cambridge (UK) (03.02.2018)
Cafe@abantu – Cambridge (UK) (19.02.2018)
Bill’s – Cambridge (UK) (02.03.2018)
Lavenham Blue Vintage Tea Rooms – Lavenham, Suffolk (UK) (06.03.2018)
Old Crown – Girton, Cambridge (UK) (17.03.2018)
The Boot – Histon, Cambridge (UK) (20.03.2018)
The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie – Cambridge (UK) (31.03.2018)
Carriages – Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire (UK) (05.04.2018)
C’est Japon à Suisha – Ottawa (Canada) (05.05.2018)
The Waterfront Restaurant and Y Spa, Wyboston Lakes Resort – Wyboston, Bedfordshire (UK) (07.06.2018)
Restaurant Twenty-Two – Cambridge (UK) (08.06.2018)
Long Melford Swan and Duck Deli – Long Melford, Suffolk (UK) (25.06.2018)
Provenance at The Cambridge Distillery Showroom – Grantchester, Cambridge (UK) (15.07.2018)
Alimentum – Cambridge (UK) (22.07.2018)
Amélie Flammekueche – Cambridge (UK) (03.08.2018)
2019
Provenance Brix + Mortar – Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire (UK) (06.02.2019)
The Brampton Mill – Brampton, Huntingdon (UK) (19.02.2019)
Di Rita’s Italian Cuisine – St Ives, Cambridgeshire (UK) (23.02.2019)
Parker’s Tavern, University Arms – Cambridge (UK) (26.03.2019)
Sleepy Sundays at The Crown & Punchbowl – Horningsea, Cambridge (UK) (18.04.2019)
The Eltisley – Eltisley, Cambridgeshire (UK) (29.06.2019)
Prana, launch of new menu and gin bar – Cambridge (UK) (09.07.2019)
Eric’s Fish & Chips – St Ives, Cambridgeshire (UK) (14.07.2019)
68 Market Street – Ely, Cambridgeshire (UK) (29.07.2019)
Cotto – The Gonville Hotel, Cambridge (UK) (25.09.2019)
Chi – Cambridge (UK) (05.10.2019)
Blue Caribou – Manchester (UK) (15.10.2019)
La Piazza by Signorelli’s – Cambridge (UK) (27.10.2019)
The Duck Truck – Cambridge (UK) (01.12.2019)
The Flying Pig – Cambridge (UK) (06.12.2019)
Mercado Central – Cambridge (UK) (12.12.2019)
The Gunton Arms – Thorpe Market, Norfolk (UK) (20.12.2019)
2020
La Raza – Cambridge (UK) (10.02.2020)
Amélie DIY Flam-kuche Flatpack – (UK) (03.12.2020)
2021
The Wine Rooms – Cambridge (UK) (05.06.2021)
Kingston Arms. Kitchen, Hummus and Wine – Cambridge (UK) (19.07.2021)
2023
Sunday Lunch at Cotto, Cambridge Country Club – Bourn, Cambridgeshire (UK) (22.01.2023)
Courtyard Kitchen, The Fitzwilliam Museum – Cambridge (UK) (09.05.2023)
King William IV – Heydon, Cambridgeshire (UK) (04.08.2023)
Hungrill – Cambridge (UK) (28.10.2023)
Kibou – Cambridge (UK) (05.11.2023)
The Three Horseshoes – Stapleford, Cambridgeshire (UK) (31.12.2023)
2024
Prana – Cambridge (UK) (10.01.2024)
Botany Foodie – Cambridge (UK) (18.01.2024)
Rice Boat – Cambridge (UK) (08.04.2024)
Chapel Market Kitchen – London (UK) (29.04.2024)

OUR KITCHEN
Tuna, Bean and Roasted Red Pepper Salad with Dijon Dressing (13.02.2014)
The Beef Wellington Project (20.02.2014)
Cheese and Mushroom Frittata (24.03.2014)
Deep Dish Red Pepper Explosion Pizza! (27.03.2014)
Pabs’ Fab Guacamole (17.04.2014)
Penne with Ham and Peas in Tomato Cream Sauce (11.05.2014)
Fusilli with Greek-Inspired Sauce (05.06.2014)
Tortiglioni in a Rosé Sauce with Pancetta (24.09.2014)
Chilli Pesto Chicken Farfalle (04.12.2014)
Salmon in Black Bean Sauce with Coconut Rice (19.01.2015)
Noodles with Prawns and Vegetables in Peanut-Ginger Sauce (21.04.2015)
Picadillo Tortilla Wraps (13.05.2015)
Creamy Smoked Salmon Tagliatelle (20.05.2015)
Chicken Cachaça (17.07.2015)
Manomasa Beef Nachos (31.07.2015)
My Mom’s Magic Orange Cookies (11.08.2015)
Chicken Cashew Stir-fry with Noodles (19.01.2016)
Tortiglioni with Tomato and Aubergine (26.07.2016)
Double Truffle Tagliatelle (13.09.2016)
Smoky Chilli Con Carne (05.12.2016)
Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket (14.08.2017)
Donairs (Recipe from More Than Poutine by Marie Porter) (24.09.2017)
Italian Sausage and Mushroom Tortiglioni (29.01.2018)
Carrot Muffins (18.04.2020)
Orange Rosemary Drizzle Loaf (22.04.2020)
Chicken Fajitas (06.06.2020)
Two-Pan Chicken with Red Potatoes and Feta (24.11.2020)
That Chicken And Olive Thing (Recipe from The OliveOlive Mediterranean Cookbook by Pam & Rob Marsden) (31.07.2021)
Coconut Lime Loaf Cake (04.01.2022)

EVENTS
2014
Love Food 2014 – Barton, Cambridge (UK) (16.02.2014)
Taste at Childerley: Siesta Fiesta 2014 – Dry Drayton, Cambridge (UK) (26.05.2014)
foodPark at The North Pole: VIP Launch – Cambridge (UK) (21.11.2014)
À Mesa Supper Club: An Autumnal Gathering – Cambridge (UK) (24.11.2014)
2015
foodPark NIGHT MARKET on 14 February, 2015 – Barton, Cambridge (UK) (17.02.2015)
Twelve at Espresso Library – Cambridge (UK) (23.03.2015)
foodPark NIGHT MARKET on 9 May, 2015 – Cambridge (UK) (11.05.2015)
Over The Tracks, a fringe event for Eat Cambridge 2015 – Cambridge (UK) (22.05.2015)
Grub Club Cambridge Producers’ Dinner at Fitzbillies, a fringe event for Eat Cambridge 2015 – Cambridge (UK) (27.05.2015)
Eat Cambridge, the Main Event – Cambridge (UK) (29.05.2015)
Pinkster Gin Tour and Tasting – Barley, Hertfordshire (UK) (18.06.2015)
Olioitalia Olive Oil Tasting at Balzano’s – Cambridge (UK) (20.06.2015)
Provenance Launch Party – Cambridge (UK) (05.07.2015)
The Cambridgeshire Cook Book Launch – Cambridge (UK) (04.08.2015)
Grub Club Cambridge British Food Fortnight at The Larder at Burwash Manor – Barton, Cambridge (UK) (25.09.2015)
foodPark NIGHT MARKET on 3 October, 2015 – Cambridge (UK) (06.10.2015)
Hot Chip Official Launch in Cambridgeshire at Burwash Manor – Barton, Cambridge (UK) (16.10.2015)
Cambridge Cookery School’s Beginners’ Bread Class – Cambridge (UK) (20.10.2015)
Cambridge Cookery School’s La Journée Chocolaterie with Javier Cervantes – Cambridge (UK) (10.11.2015)
Cambridge Artisan Launch – Cambridge (UK) (23.11.2015)
2016
Love Food 2016 – Barton, Cambridge (UK) (16.02.2016)
Gin Festival – Cambridge (UK) (10.04.2016)
Cambridge Eat Up! Pot Luck Lunch, a fringe event for Eat Cambridge – Cambridge (UK) (24.05.2016)
Sunday Best, a fringe event for Eat Cambridge – Swaffham Prior, Cambridge (UK) (27.05.2016)
Eat Cambridge 2016: The Main Event + Fringe Events – Cambridge (UK) (05.06.2016)
Early Night Club May Ball – Cambridge (UK) (20.06.2016)
Vera, Drink Up! – Shepreth, Cambridgeshire (UK) (13.07.2016)
Ely Markets Food Tour – Ely, Cambridgeshire (UK) (30.09.2016)
My Persian Kitchen Pop Up at Espresso Library – Cambridge (UK) (24.10.2016)
White Cottage Bakery’s French Breadmaking Workshop – Kingston, Cambridgeshire (UK) (16.11.2016)
Tapas and Wines from Castilla-León with Qué Rico Tapas and Cambridge Wine Merchants, Cherry Hinton Rd – Cambridge (UK) (17.11.2016)
2017
À Mesa Supper Club: A Blossoming Spring – Cambridge (UK) (28.03.2017)
Supper Club 22 “Un peu de soirée française” at The Plough – Shepreth, Cambridgeshire (UK) (31.07.2017)
Cambridge Cocktail Weekend – Cambridge (UK) (26.08.2017)
2018
Romano’s Paella Masterclass, a fringe event for Eat Cambridge – Dry Drayton, Cambridgeshire (UK) (29.05.2018)
Eat Cambridge 2018: The Main Event + Fringe Events – Cambridge (UK) (11.06.2018)
The Cambridgeshire Cook Book: Second Helpings – Cambridge (UK) (23.07.2018)
East Meets West Afternoon Tea by The Baking Jin – Cambridgeshire (UK) (19.08.2018)
Le Bistrot Clandestin (The Food of Réunion) by Gourmandises Académie – Cottenham, Cambridge (UK) (05.12.2018)
2019
Gourmet Brownie Valentine’s Launch at Poets House – Ely, Cambridgeshire (UK) (22.01.2019)
La Cucina Italiana: A Big Friendly Do – Burwell, Cambridgeshire (UK) (01.02.2019)
Hall & Co Event Design’s Home Entertaining Blogger Event – St Ives, Cambridgeshire (UK) (01.03.2019)
Mozzarella Class by Biagio Staiano at Signorelli’s Deli – Cambridge (UK) (03.04.2019)
The Tasting Table with Dulcedo, The Baking Jin and Bumble & Oak – Cambridge (UK) (10.05.2019)
2024
The Baking Jin East Meets West Suffolk Supper Club – Framlingham, Suffolk (UK) (11.05.2024)

All views are my own.

Unless otherwise noted, I am the legal copyright holder of the content and images on this blog. Please contact me for permission if you wish to use, reprint or publish any material.