This month all we’ve been talking about at Edition Towers are the burgers at Cambridge Canteen. Don’t let the name deceive you: this is no canteen but a smart country restaurant, in Whittlesford, offering an impressive, rustic dining experience. The restaurant had its low-key opening in June, after being taken on by Sue and Phil Hirst.
Andrea Berry, who looks after the marketing, says: “They run an award-winning pub in Norfolk and were looking to launch a restaurant in Cambridge. We were really impressed by them and couldn’t think of a more perfect couple. They’re fantastic with the customers.”
The menu is a meat-eater’s dream (though there are delicious veggie options too), with burgers around £14 (it’s worth it, they’re enormous) featuring a bun made from a Yorkshire pudding, and a starter and main course banquet from £20.
“The burgers have gone down a storm,” says Andrea. “They’re all named after Cambridge colleges, and can be any combination you want – there are so many different toppings. Then there’s the Yorkshire pudding bun, which is a nice touch. They’re huge – we’ve had quite a few people taking photos!
“We wanted to do something that was a cross between fine dining and the classic food we love like burgers. They’re made using the finest ingredients we can get hold of, sourced from local producers. “We’ve got some lovely wines and local ales. We do a lot of cocktails too, which we like to pair with the burgers.”
As to the décor, she says: “We wanted to create a sort of banqueting feel, so we’ve got lots of candelabras and long, solid wood banqueting tables. We’ve also got a lovely outdoor area which is really popular on these summer evenings.”
