The Cambridge Chop House, located at No 1 Kings Parade, is something of a gem in the heart of Cambridge. Positioned in a charming location near the famous Corpus Clock with stunning views of the historic city, this establishment is part of the laudable Cambscuisine group—known for culinary gems such as The Cock in Hemingford, The Tickell Arms in Whittlesford, The Crown and Punchbowl in Horningsea, The Royal Oak in Barrington, The Three Horseshoes in Madingley, and the Astronomer in Eddington.
A Lively Place
As we settled into the downstairs area of the restaurant, we couldn’t help but notice a lively, if somewhat noisy, atmosphere. There was a table in the adjacent room that seemed to be having a raucous time, possibly owing to a few too many beverages. While the boisterous laughter did permeate through to us, it surprisingly did not detract from our dining experience too much.
Drinks Selection
There is a decent variation of wines and beer on offer at the Chop House. Our evening commenced with Cabernet Franc wine, a Newton’s Drop cocktail and a pint of Hophead beer.
The wine was an eloquent partner to the meal, nuanced and well-balanced, while the Hophead was a refreshing, hoppy treat that was a perfect palate cleanser. The cocktail was well-made and also tasted very nice indeed.
Main Meals
The Pie of the Day was accompanied by rich gravy, creamy mash and buttered greens. A quintessential British dish, it was hearty and comforting, replete with flavour. The Ribeye Steak, topped with a generous dollop of stilton butter, was cooked to perfection, tender and rich in flavour. The accompanying side of chunky chips was crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and simply divine.
The (fish of the day) seabass main course was a delightful contrast, delicate and flaky with a fine balance of seasoning that made every mouthful a joy.
Desserts
For the sweet tooth among us, the Chophouse Mess and the Sticky Toffee pudding sounded like a heavenly end to a sumptuous dining experience. While the former was a delightful mélange of cream, berries, and meringue, the latter was a pretty good if not a tad on the dry side and not as tasty as some others.
And of course, what dining experience would be complete without trying a cup of (decaf) coffee to wrap up the meal? Though not a standout, it was a well-executed conclusion to a highly enjoyable meal.
The service was good—attentive without being intrusive, and the staff showed a genuine interest in ensuring that we had an enjoyable evening, even though they delivered the requested mayonnaise (for chip dipping) to someone else’s table (!). We’ll give them the benefit of being busy that evening.
To see their latest menus and offerings, one can visit their website: Cambridge Chop House Menus.
All in all, The Cambridge Chop House offers a memorable dining experience, combining classic British fare with an inviting atmosphere – even if said atmosphere can be a tad loud at times. It’s a solid all-rounder if you find yourself in Cambridge, and a worthy member of the Cambscuisine group’s decent quality line-up.