England is full of quaint towns and unless you happen to live in one of them chances are you’ll never have the pleasure of seeing them. The movie Joker just came out and my darling husband got us tickets for a Matinee. Yay for a day date without the kids. Our friends decided to join us and requested to have brunch before hand. This is how I was introduced to the darling review terrace café.

Nestled right up against the River Great Ouse, I drank my hazelnut latte that the barista had just finished brewing. I sat with my friends and husband engaging in small talk occasionally staring at the menu. Brunch decisions are always difficult for me. I am especially partial to Eggs Benedict as I have pretty much made that the standard by which I rate brunches. I ordered a fruit scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam to hold me over. It had been calling my name from the moment I’d walked in. There was little evidence left behind with exception of the remnants of powdered sugar on my fingertips.

Fruit scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam

Clotted cream is a thick cream made from whole milk using a steam bath or steam then cooled slowly in a shallow pan. 

After much back and forth between the Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine and Breakfast bowl; I settled on the latter. As if quinoa, tomato pesto, a poached egg, spinach, mushrooms and a blistered tomato weren’t enough; I upgraded it. Salmon and halloumi cheese took that breakfast bowl from an A to an A++. They key to eating th bowl is to cut up the mushroom and tomato, then pop the poached egg. Lastly take the tomato pesto and pour it all over the bowl making sure to cover the quinoa. Not only does it look good but it is well balanced too. It has almost every element of the food pyramid: grains, protein, vegetables, dairy and even some fats/oils.

If you are ever in the area of St. Ives, UK which is roughly 20 minutes from Cambridge stop by. Grab a latte, stay for brunch or if you’d prefer to dine a little later try their lunch.  It’s a favorite amongst the locals and I’m sure it will be a favorite for you too.

Forks Up!