Cooking with Wine

The idea of using wine as an ingredient in cooking can be apparent as a profligacy. Unless the dish calls for a fairly expensive bottle, I would stick with incorporate left-over wine, or well made' daily styles. A splatter or 2 of wine can actually give a lift to a dish. There's nothing relatively like a slow-braised casserole, where the wine is the main liquid ingredient. Many dishes simply cannot be made without wine: Coq au Vin, comes to mind but wine can also be extremely versatile in the kitchen. It can be used to de-glaze, for macerating and marinating food, and for poaching. Wine instantly adds texture and flavour to a dish.

Local Secrets: Cambridge restaurants, hotel, accommodation, bed and breakfast.: Best Eating Out Place The Lazy Otter Stretham Restaurant

Local Secrets: Cambridge restaurants, hotel, accommodation, bed and breakfast.: Best Eating Out Place The Lazy Otter Stretham Restaurant

Best Eating Out Place The Lazy Otter Stretham Restaurant

Lazy Otter BarNestled on the banks of the River Ouse, this riverside restaurant and bar is the ideal place to find some peace.

Just off the A10, it’s nearer than you think. Halfway between Cambridge and Ely The Lazy Otter is a great destination to watch the world go by. While dining in the restaurant visitors can gaze upon the majestic fens of East Anglia, with boats and barges drifting past on the river. Outside there is a spacious garden overlooking boat moorings.

On the old Roman road called Akemen Street a pub has been in this spot since the 1700s. Originally known as the Charles in the Oak - in reference to the young King Charles II’s evasion of Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers by hiding in an oak tree – the pub was renamed the Lazy Otter in 1987. Refurbished in July 2007 the establishment is now run by Steve Purcell, an experienced manager and member of the prestigious British Institute of Inn Keeping.

Lazy OtterOffering a large selection of dishes to choose from The Lazy Otter caters for all tastes. Classics such as 14oz T-Bone steak or Rainbow Trout are available served with all the trimmings. There is also an extensive bar snacks menu for those with a smaller appetite and a broad range of sandwich, baguette and jacket potato fillings on the lunch menu. Plus there is a special children’s menu offering healthy meals of an appropriate portion size. Six real ales are on tap and the extensive wine list is one which can provide variety time after time.

There’s always something going on at The Lazy Otter. Live entertainment for the summer season starts in May 2008 and barbeques are a weekend institution. A key location along the Ouse Valley Way there’s lots to see and do at The Lazy Otter. That 150 mile long distance footpath may be a little more than most visitors will want to do but there are plenty of other options. Lazy Otter Circular riverside walks can easily be embarked upon in either direction along the Ouse from the pub. Just ask at the bar for ideas!

Families with children are more than welcome. The Lazy Otter has facilities for younger children with a large enclosed play area including a new pirate’s ship. There are ample parking facilities for both coaches and cars in our spacious car parking area.

The Lazy Otter can cater for large groups of 50 or more people wishing to have a group outing to small private parties of two or more. You can relax in the sunshine outside and survey the relaxing ambience of the riverside location or dine with friends inside enjoying the pampered personal service from the helpful staff.

pubs accomodation cambridge

Brilliant village pub find!

I have recently heard that The Black Bull Pub and restaurant had been taken over by the previous owner of the 8 Bells, Saffron Waldon and the Crown and Punchbowl, Horningsea we decided to see what they had done with this once tired village local. On arrival I have see the menu of the restaurant is re vamped. I have also noticed that they had employed the acclaimed new chef from the Boathouse, Ely and The Cock, Hemmingford Grey. i am very pleased to see a good selection of local ales and even a local lager leading us to believe they would also source their food locally... always a good sign! I have enjoyed every mouthful of our food (Seabass and a choice from their Home Made mix and match Pie selection). It is so nice to see a village pub succeeding in these difficult times.

best Eating Out The Crown Inn (Linton)

A mere stone's throw from the busy A1307, the Crown sits on the High Street in the village of Linton with its charming mix of pastel coloured cottages and small shops. The façade of this firmly established and popular 18th century coaching inn is adorned with a colourful profusion of hanging baskets and planters.

The façade of this firmly established and popular 18th century coaching inn is adorned with a colourful profusion of hanging baskets and planters

The menu offers locally sourced ingredients such as Cumberland sausage with bubble and squeak and Gloucester Old Spot pork belly. A daily specials board recommends wild mushrooms on crostini with melting Brie, rabbit and orange marmalade soup and poached Wagu beef fillet in a prune and mustard sauce. A kids' menu is available too. A bargain lunch menu includes a free dessert with every main course ordered - and the desserts are to die for... zesty lemon tart with fresh raspberries, double chocolate brownie and treacle tart to name but three. The Pudding Club meets monthly to further test these culinary extravaganzas and a Luncheon Club for over 60s is also a popular inclusion.

On a Wednesday lunchtime the place is comfortably full at 12.30 with most diners opting to eat in the buzzy bar area. Here we find a mixture of regulars savouring the ales at the bar, a group of three 'Ladies who Lunch' enjoying colourful salads at a round table in the window and businessmen from Cambridge entertaining clients. If you really can't leave your work in the office you can always access the free WiFi. At the rear of the pub is a decked area with patio heaters for the more hardy amongst us.

Joel Palmer runs the Crown as a family business and interacts splendidly with his customers. He and his excellent staff are always friendly and the service is always first-class. If you feel the urge to sample a few more real ales you can always leave your car in the car-park and spend a night in one of the 5 delightful bedrooms. The Crown is a place to return to again and again as it caters for every taste and provides excellent well-presented food and extremely good value.