markinthepool
Youth team substitute
What lies under the hat?
Posts: 500
|
Post by markinthepool on Sept 17, 2013 22:45:31 GMT
Hi all,
I've recently moved back to Cambridge and have got a babysitter sorted for sat night. But I've got no idea where to go for a bit to eat in Cambridge. Googling restaurants seems to only highlight places that are way too pricey.
Anyone got any recommendations that won't break the bank?
Cheers Mark
|
|
cambcam
Reserve team substitute
Posts: 2,590
|
Post by cambcam on Sept 18, 2013 7:43:20 GMT
If you are looking to really enjoy a night without the kids and find a restaurant as opposed to a pub with grub whilst not breaking the bank, I'd recommend D'Arry's on King Street. Quite a nice ambience in there and you can wear casual or really be formal if you chose without feeling awkward. Some decent pubs close by too for a drink before going for dinner which is nice.
Other than that, The Galleria on Magdelene Bridge is superb. Again, that nice mix whereby you can wear what you like, the food is very good, it has a classy feel without being stuffy and importantly the missus will feel special as it looks as though you have made an effort!
There are a few others quite similar, such as The Cote on the other side of the road, but overall Galleria is the nicest restaurant with the best food, but D'Arry's is a touch cheaper which is important.
Another is The Burleigh Arms as a pub/restaurant option. A fair bit cheaper than the others mentioned but it is still a nice place to go and doesn't feel like you've taken the budget option. Some excellent ales too and a decent atmosphere.
My missus is great in that we often jump on our bikes and head off for a few beers, food and ride home. Some of the pubs with real ales and good grub are great for that, there are loads of those about. If the weather is crap or we want to dress smartly then taxis each way and a babysitter will see 50 quid gone before you start - ouch. The best nights aren't always the most expensive ones, but with work/kids/the grind to deal with, it is nice to make the effort occasionally.
Welcome back and enjoy your evening!
|
|
markinthepool
Youth team substitute
What lies under the hat?
Posts: 500
|
Post by markinthepool on Sept 18, 2013 20:29:35 GMT
Excellent info cambcam. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Thinking of checking out D'Arry's on Saturday. A quick call tells me there is no bookings for parties of less than 8 people. 2 more quick questions. Am I in line for a long wait? And where is best for parking?
Thanks again,
Mark
|
|
Bendigeidfran
First team star
Posts: 9,258
Favourite CUFC player: Steve Claridge
Favourite CUFC match: CUFC v Gateshead 18/05/14
|
Post by Bendigeidfran on Sept 18, 2013 20:40:32 GMT
Hate to sound like a stuck record about it but when I came for the Halifax game we went to the Hopbine at the bottom end of Burleigh Street. They had a pretty good selection of different foods at very reasonable prices as well as a good choice of real ales and proper ciders. I think our bill came to about 30 quid for 2 mains, 1 dessert and a drink each
|
|
|
Post by Jerry1971 on Sept 18, 2013 20:51:33 GMT
Browns is a good bet. ok food, great atmosphere, superb bar and not too disastrous price wise. They take online bookings too. It always looks the part as well.
|
|
smiffo
Global Moderator
Mod
Posts: 1,233
Favourite CUFC player: Martin Martin Butler
|
Post by smiffo on Sept 19, 2013 6:28:00 GMT
I'd go for St Johns Chop House every time if you're in the area of Browns. Not overly stuffy, a bit more pricey than an average pub meal but worth every penny. You can grab a drink in the Eagle after as well! That combo always works a treat for me.
|
|
cambcam
Reserve team substitute
Posts: 2,590
|
Post by cambcam on Sept 19, 2013 9:16:08 GMT
Excellent info cambcam. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Thinking of checking out D'Arry's on Saturday. A quick call tells me there is no bookings for parties of less than 8 people. 2 more quick questions. Am I in line for a long wait? And where is best for parking? Thanks again, Mark Ah yes, I'd forgotten about that. For 2 people you'll be fine. Once we had to wait a few minutes and they suggested a drink at the bar, we nipped to the pub for a beer while they prepared a table and they were happy with that. Now, I pop in en route to the pub, explain we'll be back in a little while and they ready a table. That's a neat way of side-stepping the booking issue and you get to eat when you want. As for parking, I think the parking is free after a certain time in the meter bays on Jesus Lane, 2 mins walk away, but check yourself just to be sure. Great shout from Jerry regarding Browns. That's a nice place, but with high ceilings and relatively bright lighting it's echoey and a bit less intimate for 2. It depends on what you are looking for but that would tick plenty of your boxes and you'd have a great time so well worth looking in to. cufcrob - Thanks for the heads up on The Hopbine, I never considered that place. I just assumed it was a skanky old Greene King boozer best avoided. A quick google and wow, a Freehouse! Will definitely head there next time out on the bikes for a few beers and food, looks like just the job, cheers. One last thing, anyone tried Loch Fyne? I'm not huge on fish but quite fancy giving it a whirl. I thought it might be an independent but apparently it's been gobbled up by the Greene King empire which puts me off but probably shouldn't. And I remember when it was The Little Rose! We don't do badly in this city of ours. It ain't cheap, but at least the choice is pretty decent. Cheers, Cam
|
|
rocky
Youth team substitute
Posts: 688
|
Post by rocky on Sept 19, 2013 10:43:09 GMT
Agree with comments above on D'Arry's, Hopbine and Chop House. Also agree with cambcam on Browns being rather noisy and less intimate for two.
Loch Fyne let us down a couple of times last year - fish far too 'fishy', service poor, mushy veg., etc. Not sure if they've done anything to turn it around, but we won't be going back anytime soon. But if you're comfortable with the prices on offer at Loch Fyne, I'd recommend the Oak Bistro on Lensfield Road (opposite the Catholic church) with very good food and a great atmosphere for intimacy. Need to book a table, though, which you can do online.
|
|
|
Post by Jerry1971 on Sept 19, 2013 12:09:47 GMT
Loch Fyne p****d me off a couple of times last year too - and then they closed for a re-furb and opened in a much better frame of mind last September. Food was very good when it first re-opened, and hurrah, they'd got Peroni on draft too! I hate lazy restaurants who can't be bothered to offer a draft option and instead try to flog you a warm thimble sized bottle of cheap lager for a fiver. I can't get draft at home, so I tend to prefer restaurants that offer a pint, which is why I love Browns! Sadly, Loch Fyne has still been a bit hit and miss after the initial re-opening adulation, but well worth a go now, and I wouldn't have said that a year ago.
Couple of other thoughts, CAU on Bene't Street is wonderful - best beef in town by a country mile, but can get pricey if you load the sides, hit the cocktails etc, and my personal favourite restaurant in Cambridge is La Margherita on Bridge Street, which is as classic and real an Italian as you'll find anywhere other than Italy. Run by the same family for 22 years, and yes, Peroni on draft there too.
One for the near future - getting very excited (as I walked to CAU last weekend) is the old poll tax office almost opposite Jamies Horrendous Italian (yuk, yuk, yuk, con-job) has been let to a new start-up called Pintshop!!! Opening on the 4th November, it will offer Bread, Meat & Beer. What more could you possibly want??
|
|
|
Post by buddha12 on Sept 19, 2013 12:18:22 GMT
First I'd heard of the pintshop sounds great, be tough to get me to walk past the mill to get there tho.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards
|
|
Dylan
First team substitute
Posts: 6,354
Favourite CUFC player: Dion Dublin
Favourite CUFC match: CUFC v AFC Halifax 04.05.14
|
Post by Dylan on Sept 19, 2013 15:19:45 GMT
If you're happy to go to a pub for your meal then The Old Spring on Ferry Path cannot be beaten IMHO.
|
|
animal
Youth team star
Posts: 1,894
Favourite CUFC player: Danny O'Shea
Favourite CUFC match: Boro 1 CUFC 5 (trumpet your Dions)
|
Post by animal on Sept 19, 2013 16:43:08 GMT
Being married to a classically trained chef is a bit of a bind as it's difficult to find anywhere better than home, but..... For bloke food the Chop houses are good. Like a pub but better would be The Punter Out of town but worth a cycle Hole in the wall or Green Man (Granchester not Trumpington) Pipasha for Indian Wrestlers. For Thai Riverside restaurant at the Grad pad followed by cocktails at HotelDu Vin is a good combo.
Funny how tastes differ. Brown's is a waste of a fantastic building & I've given them quite a few seconded chances.
New Kids in town The Brewhouse have yet to let me down.
|
|
|
Post by scooterboy on Sept 19, 2013 17:26:11 GMT
Effys in King Street for Turkish For a pre match club sandwich and a beer or 3 Robin Hood Cherry Hinton The Bridge at Clayhithe for pub grub
|
|
markinthepool
Youth team substitute
What lies under the hat?
Posts: 500
|
Post by markinthepool on Sept 19, 2013 19:21:58 GMT
Thanks for all the recommendations. Can't wait to check out a few of these places. I've moved to whittlesford so got the tickell arms (owned by chophouse I believe) in walking distance so looking forward to checking that out too.
Did visit the hole in the wall a few years back and it was excellent.
|
|
smiffo
Global Moderator
Mod
Posts: 1,233
Favourite CUFC player: Martin Martin Butler
|
Post by smiffo on Sept 19, 2013 20:07:50 GMT
If you're happy to go to a pub for your meal then The Old Spring on Ferry Path cannot be beaten IMHO. Right with you on this one, have gone well out of my way to eat there a couple of times!
|
|