Discoveries of the Weekend – January 8, 2019

January 8th, 2019

“Discoveries of the Weekend”. It’s a simple feature idea I’ve nicked from one of my favourite blogs – Boak & Bailey. The idea is to share some of the good things we’ve enjoyed over the weekend.

Friday saw us venture to Apteekki for a late lunch. Melton Mowbray’s new vegan restaurant has been very professionally and neatly put together by owner Georgie Barnes and her team. It feels a bit like an Ikea showroom inside (in a good way). Grab a clipboard menu as you walk in, sit down and wait to be served. The food and drink here are put together with care, and you can’t argue with the quality of ingredients or the vitamin influx your body gratefully receives. I’m not quite sold on the faux meat yet (they even serve a ‘Melton Mowbray Not Pork Pie’) but that’s just my personal taste – others love it – and it only makes up only a small part of the menu anyway.

My Burns Bowl in Apteekki

We saw in Friday evening with a quick nip to Round Corner Brewing‘s tap room at Melton Cattle Market. We’re going to be here a lot this year! Head brewer Colin was in the house and it was a joy to sample his new black lager, Gunmetal – light and refreshing with a touch of malty sweetness. The tap room serves all five Round Corner core beers in two-third or half-pint measures (card-only payments), alongside smoked nuts and snacks from fellow Melton start-up, The Feast & The Furious (more on these guys later in the year). The aroma coming from the brand new 20-hectolitre brew kit is always life affirming!

The tap room at Round Corner Brewing

Saturday and Sunday involved a trip to Cambridge – an excellent food and drink destination thanks to the large number of independents. But first we ventured to Ely. The cathedral is well worth a visit and our tip for a pit stop here is the lovely Samovar Tea House.

Famous old Cambridge hotel The University Arms and its restaurant Parker’s Tavern provided our evening meal. The place was buzzing – relaxed, sociable and relaxing (surprisingly great for young kids who blend into the vibrant ambience) and we lingered for three hours in this busy, enjoyable space. Service was a little slow but the food was good, especially the Cambridge Burnt Cream pud. The menu contains several local dishes, including Huntingdon Fidget Pie.

The University Arms, Cambridge

Sunday saw us grab an ice cream at bustling Sicilian café, Aromi (three outlets in Cambridge city centre). And we (not me – I was full by now!) also enjoyed a hearty Sunday lunch at a classic village pub – The Green Man in Leighton Bromswold – washed down with a couple of pints from Manchester brewer, JW Lees.