SAVOUR & SIP
PICK OF THE BRUNCH ELISHA EATS Looking for a brilliant brunch spot to meet your friends? Elisha Young (aka @elisha.eats on Instagram) has got you covered
Q: I’m meeting up with some old work friends and I’d really like to take them for brunch in Cambridge. Please could you recommend a couple of spots for me to suggest to them? A: You’re in luck. When it comes to brunch, Cambridge is spoilt for choice. Whether you’re in the mood for pancakes or eggs benedict, there are so many great places to explore and enjoy. My first suggestion is the ever-popular cafe and bakery in Chesterton, Stir. Here, you can always be sure that the sourdough served alongside your smashed avocado is going to be delicious, with a crisp crust and chewy, flavourful crumb. The menu covers all the brunch basics, including poached eggs with chilli jam, shakshuka and a salmon bagel. There’s an extensive drinks menu to accompany your food, with single origin coffee, a range of health-boosting juices and wellness drinks, as well as teas, milkshakes and smoothies. If that appeals to you, Stir also has locations in Histon and the city centre, down Green Street. Speaking of sourdough, Hot Numbers also boasts top-notch bread. It’s baked fresh every morning in the Hot Numbers roastery in Shepreth, then delivered to the former Victorian brewery on Gwydir Street. While you can choose from classics such as buttermilk pancakes (which I highly recommend) or scrambled eggs on toast, the Hot Numbers menu has some more creative dishes. If you’re in the mood, sample the bibimbap rice bowl and top it with gochujang beef, sesame baked tofu or tamari salmon. Or try butternut squash & potato hash, served with a poached egg, crispy kale, feta and hot sauce. Just down the road, there’s Scott’s All Day. This is definitely the place to visit if you’re in the mood for some alcoholic beverages to pair with your meal. The bottomless brunch gives you unlimited drink refills for 90 minutes, whether you fancy a frizzante, mimosa or Birra Moretti. But this doesn’t mean the food options are lacking – the bottomless brunch includes any pizza from the wide-ranging menu (from margherita to Sicilian prawn),
SHROOM AT THE INN Halloumi, field mushrooms, spinach and two poached eggs sat on a slice of Stir sourdough
© ELISHA YOUNG
a cheese toastie filled with kimchi. This is definitely not authentic Korean food, but the combination of rich, salty cheese and sour, spicy kimchi is addictive and extremely enjoyable. If you really want to try something different, turn to Tawa Kitchen near Cambridge station. On Sundays, this Indian restaurant offers a brunch menu that includes dosas, a twist on the classic bacon roll and a three-egg masala omelette. There’s also a dessert selection featuring gulab jamun (fried dumplings soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup), kulfi (Indian ice cream) and gajar ka halwa (carrot fudge flavoured with cardamom). These are just a few of the many great brunch spots in Cambridge. It’s well worth getting out there and sampling what’s on offer. Anyway, I don’t think your friends would complain if you suggested eating your way around every cafe to seek out a favourite. For science, of course!
American-style pancakes with topping of choice, any fry-up, or the smashed avo on toast. Anyway, who could resist the temptation of eating their brunch with a side of truffle fries? You didn’t mention if any of your friends have dietary requirements, but if they do, I suggest Espresso Library. The fluffy pancakes are piled high and served with plenty of fresh fruit – but also happen to be vegan (not to mention completely delicious). There are also vegan topping options for the avocado toast, such as tempeh and sundried tomatoes, or you can go for the porridge with peanut butter and berry compote. And I need to give an honourable mention to the kimcheese:
A combination of rich, salty cheese and sour, spicy kimchi is addictive
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK MAY 2023 51
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