06 Nov The Three Horse Shoes Madingley review
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Note October 2017: The Three Horse Shoes is now under new management
British cuisine with a touch of Asia and Italy – Triggered by the team’s recent pop-up restaurant at the Black Cat Cafe with their new venture ‘the Guerilla Kitchen’, I decided it was time to revisit the Three Horse Shoes in Madingley, which is only a short distance from Cambridge.
My favourite way of getting there is by bike. It’s a lovely route. It takes you along the backs of the modern colleges of Madingley road to Cotton on a cycle path and through partly woodlands. After twenty minutes cycling through the rolling countryside of Cambridgeshire passing the stunning estate of Madingley Hall, your efforts of your labour will be rewarded by a lovely meal at the Three Horse Shoes. This cycle ride is perfect for during the day, especially on Sunday’s when you can look forward to their full menu and the choice out of two Sunday roasts.
Octopus terrine, Portland crab, almond custard, pimenton, saffron, garlic & ink cracker
What style of food can you expect at the Three Horse Shoes? When you go to their homepage, you will notice it says ‘His modern British menus are imaginative without being outrageous’. I have to say, that this needs a slight correction in my opinion. It would do their food much more justice if it would say ‘Modern British cuisine with a touch of Asia and Italy’. Over the years they have created their own unique style influenced by their travels. Especially Richard’s time spend with the award-winning chef Charles Phan from the Slanted Door in San Fransisco.
Roast monkfish, chicken powder & skin, parsnip crisps & puree, king brown mushrooms, garlic & parsley
Roast saddle of rabbit, beetroot puree, crisps & powder, leeks, chocolate, orange, cobnuts & quinoa
When Richard told me about his time at the Slanted Door, I couldn’t wait to try out their new menu. I have travelled extensively in this part of the world and am a big fan of this cuisine. One of my favourite chef’s is Luke Nguyen.
Last Saturday we made our way to the Three Horse Shoes, which is a picturesque thatched pub in the centre of Madingley. In the nicely restored old building, there is bar area with sofa’s, perfect for a pre-dinner drink and oak dining tables, where they serve the same menu as in the restaurant. The main restaurant is at the back in the conservatory. It’s lovely and light and in the summer you have stunning views of the garden, which has enough space to throw a big party.
Chocolate ganache, burnt caramel ice-cream, Maldon salt & olive oil
Fig ice-cream, burnt marshmallow, fig cooked in pomegranate juice & pistachio crumble
Our evening was bound to have more surprises. And it did! We had a fantastic 3-course meal and local cheeses, matched with a great German wine and finished with an oak-barreled Calvados, it was worth the 20 minutes taxi drive from East Cambridge.
Gerla
p.s. If you like tomato juice, this is the place to go for homemade tomato juice. With or without a kick it’s worth a trip to the Three Horse Shoes!
