Alimentum, Cambridge

  

Kind of like Midsummer House, but cheaper and slightly less nice...

OK that's a horrible and unjustified oversimplification. Yet it's difficult not to draw comparisons between Alimentum and it's more famed and Michelin-starred older brother on Midsummer Common. Yes, the chef patron Mark Poynton used to work at Midsummer House. But of course it's unfair - there shouldn't be any sort of comparison - they are two different restaurants and both making an invaluable contribution the Cambridge food scene.

I can't help but compare though. Starting with the location, one could almost walk straight past Alimentum on the very busy Hills Rd without realising that this gem of a restaurant exists. The trucks storming by outside the window don't help with the atmosphere, but I'm sure at dinner time it is a little more peaceful.

The food in Alimentum is a combination of the best of classic British with a few French touches added here and there. Peen and I were here for the three-course fixed price menu - an absolute steal at £22.50 (after service charge) at lunchtime and Mon/Wed evenings.

Sage and Orange Bread

Er, 'sejanoise' bread? I'm sorry, could you repeat that? As it turns out, I had a bit of trouble understanding what was actually 'sage and orange' in a heavy French accent! But the bread itself was so good... still warm, moist and just slightly savoury. I've really grown to love bread in Europe. Especially free bread.

Rabbit terrine, summer vegetables and asparagus pesto

Peen started with a rabbit terrine after not realising the menu said 'terrine', deciding the combination of ingredients sounded appetising, only then to realise that aforementioned ingredients would come packaged in a squashed little circle wrapped in fat. Apparently, he has accidentally ordered far too many terrines in exactly the same manner.

Not a big problem really, as terrines are awesome. This particular one was beautifully presented, and came with a wonderfully creamy asparagus pesto generously smeared onto the plate.

Mackerel, anchovy toast, tomato, lemon and caper

I decided to start with the mackerel - a really fresh tasting combination of flavours. I'd also never seen capers on stem like that before (only ever in jars I'm afraid).

Baked ricotta, wild mushroom, walnuts and blue cheese

For main, I went with a baked ricotta parcel, which was delightfully crisp despite sitting on a bed of amazing sauted wild mushrooms. Despite being chock full of ricotta, the parcel was surprisingly not heavy at all.

12 hour lamb breast, peas, mint and jersey royals

Whilst I'm not 100% sure what the 12 hour in lamb, 12 hour breast quite means (cooked for that long i presume?), the meat was seriously seriously tender. Slow cooking is just amazing. Lamb and mint is a classic combination, and the fancy twist on mushy peas was clever.

Lemon meringue, lemon and soy sorbet, vodka

Dessert time! The meringue was really designed with diehard citrus fans in mind. Lemon in the meringue, in the sorbet, in the foam puffs, and to top it off, a sprinkling of pretty sharp lemon sherbet crumbs. Luckily, I happen to like lemon! The flavour was definitely not homogenous - each different element had a slightly different balance of sweetness and tartness, whilst the range of textures was fun.

Peanut and banana, biscuit glace, caramel and chocolate

If I didn't know better, the peanut and banana dessert would have looked like chocolate and coffee flavoured dessert actually. No mistaking the serious peanutty flavour bomb though. Again, fantastic presentation. Yum.

All in all, I think Alimentum is a fantastic restaurant (if you couldn't tell already). And for that price, it really stands tall next to the giant that is Midsummer House. Yes, that means you should all go.

Alimentum
152-154 Hills Rd
Cambridge CB2 8PB
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 413000
http://www.restaurantalimentum.co.uk/

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After a slight report-writing hiatus, we're back! Expect some serious blogpost spammage soon =)

OH AND... did you know Pembroke College kitchen has a food blog? AMAZING!!! My mind was blown when I found that out. You should definitely check it out.