How many times has someone asked you to recommend a good lunch spot in Cambridge and you’ve drawn a complete blank? You know there are loads of great places, but you can only think of uninspiring chains or the same old haunts you always end up at, where you’ve exhausted almost every item on the menu.
I found myself in a similar predicament just a few weeks ago, one muggy Sunday following a rather late evening out with friends. Keen for something summery and light (and me nurturing a calamari craving), we noticed tables laid outside La Raza – admittedly more of a nightspot in my mind, and one I’d never really considered for lunch. But a quick glance at their tapas-inspired menu was enough to convince us to try this popular bar by day.
Taking a seat in the sun outside the venue, we ordered drinks while soaking up the bustling atmosphere along Rose Crescent, surely one of Cambridge’s prettiest streets. Both struck with indecision, when our drinks arrived (mine a sweet, refreshing tropical fruit ‘mocktail’ with an unusual dash of caramel), we gave up deliberating and handed responsibility over to our server, who promised to bring us a selection of tapas dishes for two – perfect. For the similarly indecisive, see their ‘3 dishes for £12’ lunch menu.
La Raza has every preference covered, offering a well-rounded selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian options. After a short wait, we were presented with a veritable continental feast comprising Spanish meatballs in a red wine and tomato sauce; herby couscous (I loved the crusty top) with Mediterranean vegetables – chargrilled and packing the perfect level of bite; mussels in a tomato and chorizo broth; my deep-fried calamari, steaming hot and succulent; and a crispy salad with balsamic vinegar to lighten the load.
The colourful centrepiece was an authentic, beautifully presented chicken and smoky chorizo paella, cooked with strands of saffron and certainly my recommendation of the day. Lighter eaters, like us, will find a La Raza paella feeds two easily, so go steady on the sides if you want to leave room for dessert.
Unquestionably full, we skipped pud, despite glimpsing an alluring Santiago Tart (with almond and quince filling) and chocolate tart with raspberry coulis on the menu.
Sunny days in Cambridge are worth taking every advantage of, and I’m glad to have somewhere new to recommend next time someone consults me for an ideal laid-back summer dining venue. With their al fresco seating and quality, authentic Mediterranean menu it’s not much of a stretch to imagine you’re on holiday as you tuck in to fresh seafood under a parasol, and on cloudy days the downstairs bar/restaurant offers a chic alternative. Though you might find yourself experiencing the odd dance floor flashback, the standard of food and service, and the relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere, is proof that trendy bars can do business just as well by day as they do by night.
La Raza, 4-6 Rose Crescent, CB2 3LL, 01223 464 550
