SmokeWorks Cambridge

After having our Saturday trip to London cancelled, we were both starving. I wanted to go somewhere new and didn't really fancy a pub so we headed into Cambridge for lunch. I Googled BBQ places in Cambridge and SmokeWorks came up. I hadn't been before but seeing it on Google reminded me that I had seen that friends had been just the week before and their review had seemed pretty good.

SmokeWorks is a BBQ restaurant on Free School Lane, opposite the Eagle (near the Corn Exchange), which is all about BBQ-ed meat, bourbon and beer (the three Bs). Tucked down this small street it is a place that you would just happen upon. Inside it is industrial in design with rough wood and metal tables, exposed brick and industrial gadgets such as the red switch you turn when you are ready to order.

You are unable to reserve a table so we turned up and put our names down on the list meaning we would get a call when our table was ready. So whilst we waited we headed to the Eagle for a quick drink.

Once we were called we were sat down in the basement of SmokeWorks which has high tables, a sweet little nook and soft lighting. The menu has shared platters which includes ribs, coleslaw, chicken wings, spiced sausages and buns. If you don't fancy a platter then there is the option for ribs or buns. The buns are all pulled meat of some variety with pork, beef and chicken on offer. There is also the option of two veggie buns.

Accompanying the main you get the choice of either two minor sides or one major side. The major sides include: sweet potato fries, beef dripping mash, bbq corn on the cob with chicken salt. All of which sound absolutely incredible and smell divine (although probably not ideal for vegetarians but there is the option to have the side without the meat juices).

When we were ready to order, we flicked the switch of the red button by your table. I opted for the chicken bun as I had never had pulled chicken before with sweet potato fries and the corn on the cob. The bun came with smoked bacon and bacon jam. Our meal arrived on a tray, wrapped up in paper and the fries in falcon bowls.

The burger was insane, The pulled chicken was so soft and the smoked bacon complimented it and then juiciness of the jam made it all melt in the mouth. I added a layer of BBQ sauce, with the condiments sitting in a wooden box by our table so I did't have to faff asking for them, I was really surprised by how filling the meal was.

The whole meal came to £26 for two main meals and one drink. So a reasonable price for really flavourful food. I will definitely go back to try and few more of the options on the menu and make sure I have eaten very little that day.

Van Hage - Weekend Garden Centre trip

The weekends always end up so jam packed seeing friends, family, life admin and trips out. One Saturday, I spent the day with Sian and Lee and decided to take a trip over to the Van Hage garden centre in Ware. I love it there! I realise that a garden centre trip makes me sound about 50 however, it is not a normal garden centre, it is on a whole other level. There are so many different rooms full of homeware from shabby chic to American traditional to seaside themed. On top of that there is a cooking section with utensils, homemade chutneys, cakes and jams. Outside of the garden centre there is all the plants you can imagine as well as a small petting farm with guinea pigs, goats and birds. It keeps everyone happy.

After roaming around all of this and having bought candle holders, caramelised red onion chutney and a photo frame, we finished the trip in the cafe. I ordered one huge hot chocolate topped off with whipped cream and a chocolate brownie. There is a huge selection of cakes and savoury bits to choose from. The chocolate brownie was definitely the right choice for me though. Nice and sweet with a crispy top. It wasn't cheap however, it didn't break the bank and finished the trip off nicely.