Rice Boat – Cambridge (UK)

Posted on 08/04/2024 by One Two Culinary Stew

South Indian restaurant Rice Boat opened on Newnham Road in 2005 and has become a Cambridge institution. Owned by lovely couple Jacob (head chef) and Rita (front of house manager) Abraham, they serve traditional Kerala cuisine. This place has been on my must-try list for far too many years and I’m sorry it took me so long to visit. I’ll definitely be making repeat visits from now on.

When Paulo and I arrived for our 6pm (opening time) reservation, we could already take in the fragrant aromas emanating from the kitchen. We were warmly welcomed and service was attentive. The co-owner Rita came to thank us for our custom at the end of the meal and have a little chat – so nice!

I’ve only ever tried Kerala cuisine once before – several years ago in Leeds. Rice Boat’s menu describes the flavours, consistencies (dry vs saucy) and spice levels of the dishes, which really helped us decide. They cook everything from scratch. The staple foods of Kerala include aromatic spices such as black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and nutmeg, as well as coconut and rice, which we enjoyed in the dishes we ordered.

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Botany Foodie – Cambridge (UK)

Posted on 18/01/2024 by One Two Culinary Stew

Wonderful Turkish café Botany Foodie at No. 172 Mill Road sits at the corner of Campbell Street in Cambridge.

The pretty floral arrangements outside and inside draw you in but the friendliest welcome – which includes samples of turkish delight – makes you stay!

At Botany Foodie they are more than happy to go through the menu and answer any questions about the dishes.

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Prana – Cambridge (UK)

Posted on 10/01/2024 by One Two Culinary Stew

This year Prana will be celebrating their 14th anniversary – 8 of those years in their extensively refurbished space (with more changes to come). This upscale yet informal Indian restaurant in the heart of Mill Road has come a long way since its beginnings as a tiny takeway, even winning a slew of prestigious awards.

It’s no secret Paulo and I have been regular customers for many years as the food is always flavoursome and prepared with quality ingredients. Prana continue to use their own spice blends rather than curry powder – the results are clean, vibrant flavours that are a delight to the taste buds. We have our tried-and-true favourites but also look forward to trying more dishes on the menu, which has been streamlined over the years to simplify the previously overwhelming choices.

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The Three Horseshoes – Stapleford, Cambridgeshire (UK)

Posted on 31/12/2023 by One Two Culinary Stew

The Three Horseshoes is a cosy independent pub in the village of Stapleford, just a few miles south of Cambridge. It changed hands a few months ago. The previous owner (Chris) introduced a Greek menu in 2019 and the new owners (Duncan and Justine) continued with the popular Greek menu.

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Kibou – Cambridge (UK)

Posted on 05/11/2023 by One Two Culinary Stew

There’s a new addition to Cambridge’s food and drink scene! Kibou is a small chain of contemporary Japanese restaurants with a menu inspired by the eclectic streets of Tokyo. Cambridge is Kibou’s fifth location after Cheltenham, Clifton, Solihull and Battersea.

Kibou has made itself right at home in the historic University Pitt Club building on Jesus Lane (bye bye Pizza Express). It launched in mid-August 2023 and it’s been a hit from the get-go! I was there to celebrate the grand opening and get a sneak peek at the menu and opulent interiors. I recently returned to enjoy the full experience of a leisurely dinner.

Their extensive menu features sushi and sashimi sharing platters, A5 grade wagyu, tempura, gyoza, bao, ramen and a range of other classic and contemporary Japanese dishes.

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Hungrill – Cambridge (UK)

Posted on 28/10/2023 by One Two Culinary Stew

A corner on Cambridge’s vibrant Mill Road is now home to new small restaurant Hungrill, who are serving up authentic Greek cuisine. Even the white building with its blue sign give off Mediterranean vibes!

Just when I thought we’d never get proper gyros in Cambridge, this gem quietly opened its doors a few weeks ago to a steady stream of customers.

Hungrill (at 88 Mill Road) is more of a takeaway place but there are a few nice tables and chairs inside. Service is friendly and helpful. They’re happy to answer any questions about the menu and make suggestions.

We had the wraps with a choice of gyros (pork, chicken or mix) and skewers (pork, chicken or lamb souvlaki) – all stuffed with fresh tomato, red onion (or iceberg), tzatziki (or mayo) and chips. A perfect hand held meal right there!

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Courtyard Kitchen, The Fitzwilliam Museum – Cambridge (UK)

Posted on 09/05/2023 by One Two Culinary Stew

Combining food and culture! The Cambridge Dining Company (CDC Events), who have an established reputation, are now operating Courtyard Kitchen at The Fitzwilliam Museum. This newly refurbished contemporary café is a real gem, offering delicious food, a cheerful ambience and excellent service for brunch, lunch, cake, pastries and drinks. This delightful eatery, located by the museum shop, offers so much more than a simple café.

Anyone can pop into the café. It’s not necessary to visit The Fitzwilliam Museum’s exhibitions and galleries to eat at Courtyard Kitchen – although I highly recommend a wander to admire the beautiful art and artefacts in this historic Cambridge landmark – all free entry. Friends of the Fitzwilliam members receive a 10% discount on Courtyard Kitchen’s food and drink.

I was kindly invited by CDC Events to sample a variety of Courtyard Kitchen’s dishes. For my lunchtime visit, Paulo and I took the opportunity to explore the museum’s current exhibition Islanders: The Making of the Mediterranean (which is also free but needs to be pre-booked).

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Sunday Lunch at Cotto, Cambridge Country Club – Bourn, Cambridgeshire (UK)

Posted on 22/01/2023 by One Two Culinary Stew

It was a huge blow to Cambridge’s food scene when Cotto had to close its doors at The Gonville during the pandemic in 2020. This revered restaurant owned by chef Hans Schweitzer and his partner Ruth was a top dining destination, having begun its existence on East Road in 2008 and steadfastly becoming a Cambridge institution over the years. I wrote about Master Chef Hans Schweitzer’s prestigious culinary history and my past dining experience here.

Those of us who missed the gastronomic delights and fantastic hospitality provided by Hans, Ruth and their team are delighted that Cotto is back. The restaurant has a new home in the impressive Cambridge Country Club, which boasts a golf course as well as wellness, spa and dining facilities in Bourn, Cambridgeshire – about 10 miles west of Cambridge.

The entire F&B service at the Cambridge Country Club is being run by Cotto, which includes the Spikes Bar (casual breakfast, lunch and drinks), Cotto Lounge (lunch, Afternoon Tea, Sunday Lunch and evening fine dining) and Garden Suite (parties and events). The Food & Beverage facilities are open to everyone – not just members of the Club. Cotto’s much-missed evening fine dining is due to start after some finishing touches, so diners will once again be able to enjoy chef Hans’ beautiful and delicious culinary masterpieces.

In the meantime, my Sunday Lunch in the Cotto Lounge was a fine dining experience in itself with chef Hans’ signature style, presentation and menu, all impeccably executed by the team and coupled with the same excellent service I’ve always experienced at Cotto.

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That Chicken And Olive Thing (Recipe from The OliveOlive Mediterranean Cookbook by Pam & Rob Marsden)

Posted on 31/07/2021 by One Two Culinary Stew

I’ve been a loyal customer of OliveOlive for several years now, regularly stocking up on their excellent halloumi and extra virgin olive oil from Cyprus. I have the added foodie bonus that this Cambridgeshire based company is local to me so my orders are delivered by owners Pam and Rob Marsden – a nice opportunity for a little chat. I often see them at markets and foodie events too.

Their first press, unfiltered olive oil comes from Pam’s family farm in Cyprus. It’s produced in a coastal village using handpicked local olives and cold pressed within 24 hours. It really is of superior quality, including their olive oils fused with basil, chilli, garlic, lemon or oregano. Their Cyprus Village halloumi is handmade the traditional way by their friends in Cyprus, the Stefani family. It’s way better than the supermarket stuff. These personal connections are the best kind of quality control.

Our cooking often features their products so I was excited to learn that Pam and Rob wrote their own recipe book – The OliveOlive Mediterranean Cookbook, published by Meze Publishing. I was looking forward to checking out all the recipes so I was delighted when Pam and Rob gave me a complimentary copy.

The cookbook features 45 recipes contributed by Pam, her family, their friends, customers and chefs who use OliveOlive’s products in their restaurants. There is page after page of mouth-watering photography of the dishes but I also liked the personal photos… the family farm, Pam’s relatives (mum, dad, aunt and uncle) in Cyprus as well as Pam and Rob on the farm and in their kitchen.

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Kingston Arms. Kitchen, Hummus and Wine – Cambridge (UK)

Posted on 19/07/2021 by One Two Culinary Stew

UPDATE: This pub is now under new ownership. It has no in-house food offering.

The circumstances that brought Tel Aviv chef Maoz Alonim to Cambridge may not be food related but it was inevitable that he would eventually open a restaurant and contribute to our flourishing foodie scene. Alonim is one of Israel’s most famous chefs renowned the world over for founding Basta in 2007, a small restaurant and wine bar in proximity to Carmel Market in Tel Aviv. With produce straight from the market’s stallholders only a few steps away, the menu changes daily (sometimes twice a day) and consists of main headings with handwritten dish updates. This is Alonim’s concept… a creative menu led by fresh, seasonal ingredients paired with an impressive wine list. And this is precisely what he has brought to Kingston Arms, located just off Cambridge’s vibrant and diverse Mill Road.

Always one to defy expectations, Alonim defines Kingston Arms as Kitchen, Hummus and Wine. He has even gone so far as having the serving presentation designed for their hummus and pita, a clever combo of zisha (Yixing clay) bowls with a round cork cover that doubles as a board for the pita. More on the amazing hummus later!

This independent pub is a real food and wine lovers’ gem. The interior is warm and inviting, with tables by the windows and back door as well as bar seating for perhaps a more wine or beer focused experience. There is a large walled garden with heaters that is pretty much rain proof, a definite advantage for a business that opened during the pandemic. The staff are so friendly and welcoming and there are knowledgeable sommeliers for their well curated wine list.

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A Bubbling Cauldron of Food Experiences

Tag Archives: Cambridge

Rice Boat – Cambridge (UK)

Botany Foodie – Cambridge (UK)

Prana – Cambridge (UK)

The Three Horseshoes – Stapleford, Cambridgeshire (UK)

Kibou – Cambridge (UK)

Hungrill – Cambridge (UK)

Courtyard Kitchen, The Fitzwilliam Museum – Cambridge (UK)

Sunday Lunch at Cotto, Cambridge Country Club – Bourn, Cambridgeshire (UK)

That Chicken And Olive Thing (Recipe from The OliveOlive Mediterranean Cookbook by Pam & Rob Marsden)

Kingston Arms. Kitchen, Hummus and Wine – Cambridge (UK)