Midsummer House

Midsummer House, the only Michelin starred restaurant in Cambridge, is pleasantly situated on Midsummer Common. One may sit in the conservatory dining room and idly watch the River Cam meander by as one course blends agreeably into the next.

And what courses! Daniel Clifford's modern style of cooking chases the seasons and draws well upon the nearby kitchen garden. Imagine starters of deep fried snails, risotto of bacon, parsley ice cream or terrine of guinea fowl, wild mushrooms and foie gras, spiced pear purée, port reduction, followed by squab pigeon, pommes anna, onion tarte tatin, caramelised chicory, jus of morel or pan fried tranchon of turbot, cep risotto, glazed baby leeks and celery, mushroom biscuit, cep foam.

Daniel has gained some impressive experience before settling at Midsummer House, including a spell at two star Michelin Restaurant Jean Bard in France, followed by two and a half years at Rascasse in Leeds, during which time it gained a Michelin star. The award of 2 Michelin Stars in 2005 serves only to confirm the record of this exceptional Chef.

The menu is elaborate in places, perhaps overly so, but one really cannot fault the results. It's just the agony of decision-making. While it is undoubtedly expensive, if you are looking for value, then their lunch set menus are a comparative bargain.

Desserts are a match for the rest of the menu and an excellent but somewhat expensive wine list, with fairly steep mark-ups, completes the picture. House wines start at £13.95.