In 2011, Cambridge University alumnus Stephen Fry posted on Twitter that his favourite tea shop and bakery – Fitzbillies – was closing. Living in London at the time, but born and raised in Cambridge, Alison Wright read the tweet and the idea to save a Cambridge institution was born.
So in August 2011 (after a lot of hard work), the 90 year-old story of Fitzbillies started a new chapter. The Grade II listed art deco frontage was restored and the interior given a new and fresh look. Its famous Chelsea buns are as outrageously sticky as before (using the original recipe) and a very tasty cheese version is well worth a try. In addition to the buns and other tempting cakes and pastries, Fitzbillies has a lunch menu – including its 1938 Beef patties, savoury tarts and pies (from the bakery), soups, salads and terrines – which changes daily to reflect seasonal availability.
Another new Fitzbillies storyline has been the addition of an exciting new dinner menu – currently available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The menu changes weekly (it’s uploaded on the website usually on a Tuesday), and to give an idea of the style of food, dishes have included starters of backed figs with White Lady, walnut and honey and Fitzbillies mutton ham, spiced apricots, potted mutton on toasted potato rosemary bread. Main course offerings have seen delicious combinations such as aubergine charlotte, dandelion, croutons and mustard dressing and also braised rabbit with cos, bacon and new potatoes. And of course the deserts are pretty good too – well, they would be!
Image: Owners Alison Wright and Tim Hayward
Fitzbillies
52 Trumpington Street
Cambridge
CB2 1RG
Tel: +44 (0)1223 352500
W: www.fitzbillies.com
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Find out more by visiting the Independent Cambridge website:www.independent-cambridge.co.uk/
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