cambridge – and so she thinks

The Rainbow Cafe, Cambridge

admin — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 13:39:25 +0000

Usually when Gillian McKeith raves about something it makes me want to run a mile. That’s not to say that spirulina can’t taste good, but when dished up with a side of guilt, it’s not an alluring idea. Thankfully in this case I didn’t listen to the urge to flee, and when looking for somewhere to dine in Cambridge on a recent trip, decided to swing by the vegetarian Rainbow Café.
In a basement down a side alley, and marked only by a colourful sign on Kings Parade, the city’s only vegetarian café could easily be missed by the hordes of tourists bustling for dining options. Those who do are missing out. There’s far more on offer here than just vegetarian lasagne. Also specialising in vegan and gluten free food, the menu is packed with delicious, hearty and varied dishes, with a rotation of specials also on offer.
We go for the Vegan Artichoke Parcel, where flaky filo pastry parcels envelope artichoke heart, red pepper, black olives, sun dried tomato, and vegan cheese, and the ever popular Tagine L’Algerienne, where roasted sweet potatoes, aubergines and whole roasted carrot chunks, are slow cooked in a rich North African tomato casserole. All meals are served with salad, brown rice, cous cous or pasta, covering all food groups and appetites. The idea is that not only are diners treated to a trip of the tastes, but also the world, and are introduced to different national cuisines, reflective of the vast travels of owner Sharon Meijland and her staff. There’s Jamaican Roti Cups, Latvian Potato Bake, Indonesian Gado Gado as well as Italian Pasta Marinara. Portions are vast, and even though we struggle, the taste means it is impossible to give up. And besides, we’re staying at nearby St Catherine’s, the college dating from the 16th century, and only a stumble away.
No one said that treats have to be unhealthy, and even the wines, beers and ciders are organic and vegan. The scrumptious ‘Miracle Cake’ tastes like the very best rich chocolate cake, but is actually made of super nutritious chestnuts, dates and walnuts, and Nigel Slater apparently described their carrot cake served with sour cream as the ‘best I’ve ever tasted.’
In addition to being wholly vegetarian, additives, colourings or flavourings are avoided, which means that nearly every dietary requirement can be catered for. But what is crucial is that so can every taste. The room, with its open kitchen, softly lit nooks and crannies, small and large tables is filled with all different types of people. Vegans sit alongside normal carnivores, glowing yogis with big burly men, couple and families, all just here for tasty food.
It’s not only Gillian McKeith. Men’s Health, Nigel Slater and The Observer have all raved about it. And now I am too.
Ethical, healthy, and delicious dining at its best.
The Rainbow Café is in the centre of Cambridge. During holiday season you can stay at the university colleges with University Rooms.

Shakespeare Shorts

admin — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 14:59:43 +0000

Shakespeare is so well known that it takes guts and effort to reinterpret in new ways that allow the brilliance to shine through for audiences in an accessible way, and Action To The Word manage this dynamically and dazzle with it in their production of Shakespeare Shorts, now on at independent venue Camden People’s Theatre.
Directed by Alexandra Spencer-Jones, and with only a cast of ten, they effortlessly sparkle through some of the most emotional, hard hitting, resonant and profound scenes of the Bard’s work with a vibrancy that brings a fresh perspective to the eyes gathered in this small theatre. Dressed in black with minimal lighting, the ensemble clearly demonstrate the wisdom of the words and seem to accentuate this via the stark simplicity of all that they do. No set. No costume. Simply the power of their interpretation.
Punctuated with modern pop music to emphasise the shifts between scenes and plays (amongst others the soundtrack features Drop Dead Gorgeous by Republica, 10CC’s The Thing We Do For Love, and the classic True from Spandau Ballet) they rally through Hamlet, Macbeth, Titus Andronicus, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and well as others from the canon,with startling clarity and crispness. Managing to move between light comedy to powerful tragedy with fluidity and agility, keeping each clearly resonant, the Bard is brought up to date – or rather his universal themes are made blatantly obvious – love, sex, drugs, fun, violence and danger.
The company developed the production in Cambridge when most were still students, and it remains as slick and hard hitting as when they first performed it back in 2008. Click below for tickets.

Lodestar – and so it grows…

admin — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:08:51 +0000

There are few things more enjoyable than sitting in the sunshine in a beautiful sunshine listening to great music, cider in hand. Can’t guarantee the sunshine, but the other ingredients will be all there in abundance at Cambridge’s Lodestar festival. Taking place from 30^th August to 1^st September, the three days are self described as ‘The place for lovers of great music!’ (the stellar line up includes The Joy Formidable, Hatcham Social, Thumpers, Dragonette and Mausi) but is also for lovers of all things fun, and wandering around the farm that has been owned and loved by founder of Lodestar Doug and his family for four generations you will find literature, zorbing, archery, samba, workshops, dancing, circus, fringe theatre and plenty of smiling faces.
The line up is evolving on a thrillingly regular basis, and latest additions include the liltingly lovely Lady Lamb The Beekeeper, Fiery Furnaces’ Eleanor Friedberger and her intense, edgy yet elegant sounds, perfect sunshine sounds from An Escape Plan , sonic loveliness from Swedish El Perro Del Mar mistress of reinvention VV Brown.
As well as hot indie darlings ike these and global superstars capable of hanging out with Dave Grohl the festival supports local artists, and this year acoustic indie-folk four-piece Fred’s House and indie dance group The Sticks are just two of the many who will be part of the event. Buy your tickets here…and keep an eye out for a competition from myself, Cool For Cats and Lodestar very soon!
For a sneak preview head down to the Old Blue Last on August 7^th where Hatcham Social and Flowers play a preview show, and make this Spotify playlist your soundtrack now.

LodeStar Festival

admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:40:49 +0000

I’ve never been to Cambridge. Come 31st August, all that will have changed, as LodeStar kicks into gear. Held on vast flat fenland 15mins from Cambridge city centre on one of the best weather weekends of the year, LodeStar Festival provides a full weekend of entertainment, including live music, comedy, theatre, market stalls, quality catering and even sport activities. Full of variety for those who like more than one spice in their life, the festival is now entering its fifth year and has is by all accounts most relaxed and chilled boutique festivals in the UK and has been universally praised for its affordable prices and for the quality of the acts involved. The incredible The Joy Formidable will be playing, their epic and grand sets often worth a festival ticket alone, as well as buzz boy Mausi, London rocker Hatcham Social, and, amongst others Dragonette, El Perro Del Mar, Thumpers, Ryan Keen, Paper Aeroplanes, Kimberly Anne, Caracol, The Vestals, The Birthday Kiss, Flowers, Candy Says and Lonely The Brave. More are to be announced and mid priced tickets are available now from the festival website www.lodestarfestival.com.