September culinary updates to whet your appetite
The Orator announces new outdoor offering
Nestled just behind the historic Round Church, The Orator Brasserie & Bar is revealing its newly refurbished outside seating area and garden this month.
As of September, completely regenerated outdoor dining facilities will include brand-new casual bench seating with backrests alongside softly lit, private pergolas for more secluded suppers.
The bar-restaurant is also offering a light lunch deal available from 12 noon until 4pm, Monday to Friday, with a menu that includes a range of classic British sandwiches, ciabattas and flatbreads, served with a side and soft drink for only £12.
A little sanctuary away from the bustle of the high street, it is also the ideal spot to enjoy a signature cocktail inspired by the legendary speakers who have debated next door at the Cambridge Union Society.
For more information or to book a table at The Orator, visit cus.org/the-orator
All systems go at Fitzbillies’ new Harston bakery
Fitzbillies Harston opened in early June, serving coffee, buns and plenty of delicious lunches to the local community. A month later, the bakery moved from central Cambridge into the Harston site – without missing a single day of baking buns, pastries and bread.
Alison Wright, owner of Fitzbillies, said: “The move to Harston is the result of three years of planning. We knew our lease at Clifton Road would come to an end, and we knew we wanted to find a new space that would allow the bakers to work alongside one of our coffee shops, with buns taken fresh from the oven to our counter. It’s already been a great success.”
What was once an old Ducatti garage on the Harston High Street has been transformed into a fully operational artisanal bakery, which delivers to central Cambridge every morning, alongside a welcoming coffee shop.
The menu at Harston matches the coffee shops in town: great coffee and tea, six flavours of Fitzbillies buns, freshly baked bread, scones, cakes and the cafe’s popular lunches. Birthday and celebration cakes can also be ordered online for collection from Harston (as well as two of the branches in Cambridge).
Fitzbillies Harston is open daily. Visit fitzbillies.com to find out more
Giggling Squid launches its biggest-ever menu
Thai restaurant Giggling Squid has revealed 16 brand-new dishes alongside a public commitment that portions will always stay generous, bucking the shrinkflation trend.
“In Thailand, generosity is how you welcome people to your table, and it’s how we’ve looked after our guests since our first little restaurant in Brighton,” said Pranee Laurillard, who founded Giggling Squid with her husband Andy. “Our portions are as generous as they were when we opened and that’s how they’ll stay.”
Leading the 16 new dishes is khao mok moo, a Thai take on biryani: a folded lotus leaf parcel of fragrant, wok-fried rice and chilli pork, rarely seen in Britain. Alongside it comes yellow noodle tamarind duck and a showstopping whole sea bass green curry.
The kids’ Thai tapas set has also been refreshed, with collectable Thai character cards to play, swap and collect, and a new Big Squids menu introduced, designed for older children and teens who have outgrown the kids’ menu.
Visit Giggling Squid at The Old Library, 2 Wheeler Street, or find it online at gigglingsquid.com
Dates for your diary
6 september – Ferment & Feast
Taking place from 10am to 2pm at Storey’s Field Centre, the fifth edition of this event features Michelin-trained zero-waste chef Rowen Halstead, chef, author and fermentation expert Kenji Morimoto and FermenTABLE founder Catalina Brumann. bit.ly/4huyIAq
16 september – Hot Numbers Quiz Night
Gather your smartest friends for an evening of trivia, friendly competition and coffee, craft beer and wine at this new monthly quiz night! Taking place at Hot Numbers Trumpington Street, find out more and book online. hotnumberscoffee.co.uk
18 september – Tanzania Supper Club
A unique dining experience at Bull & Bass inspired by East African flavour, showcasing warming spices, slow-cooked dishes and recipes rooted in tradition. bit.ly/4wXjwk5