Bill's Resturarant, Cambridge

Bills is one of those places that you know you’re going to get served good grub and feel relaxed in the process so when I got asked to review their Cambridge restaurant I jumped at the chance! Located on Green street in the heart of the city, its the perfect location to escape the hustle and bustle for a beautiful meal.

The interior boasts relaxed dining chairs, unapologetic chandeliers and produce from wall to wall- which until now I didn’t realise you could actually buy! Call me thick but it looks so pretty that I just thought it were decoration before it’s used within the recipes. Nope! You can buy those big beautiful olives by the tin which happens to be what me and my dining companion Pippa snacked on whilst perusing the menu and supping a cocktail in the process.

Talking of the cocktails, the selection is fantastic and I had a hard trouble choosing which to have first! Finally my inner gin lover was tempted to the Raspberry and Rosehip Collins – A blend of dry gin, raspberry and rosehip infused with pink grapefruit cordial and Bill’s very own pink lemonade. It was so delicious and pretty, so much so that it didn’t last me very long-whoops! Meanwhile Pippa enjoyed an English Country Garden which was the prettiest drink with its delicate floral garnish.

So onto the menu. What does Bill's offer? If you’re a lover of European cuisine, you’re in for a real treat and a filling one too! Available from 11:45am, the main menu has something to offer for everyone. There were so many different things to choose and both Pippa and I were hungry so opted to go all out on three courses, starting with the vegetarian MEZZE. 

Neither Pippa or I are vegetarian nor are we adverse to it either but this sounded delicious! The platter came with spiced white corn tortillas, grilled garlic mushrooms, crumbed halloumi sticks, chickpea and parsley falafels, olives, Pico de Gallo salsa, tomato hummus, tzatziki and smoky tomatoes. The salsa was fresh and tangy, accompanying the hummus and falafel beautifully whilst the halloumi was the perfect temperature for oozing goodness under the crunch of the breadcrumbs. The garlic mushrooms were juicy and divine and in a very short space of time we'd cleared the plate of its delicious contents. 

For our mains we decided we'd pick things we wouldn't usually choose. We both know that Bill's burgers are just epic so there is no need to review that part of the menu. Instead we went for things we'd never normally have at home or in a restaurant so I chose the Chicken Milanese with a side of cauliflower cheese and Pippa went for the Rustic Butternut squash stew. 

Okay can I just say that this chicken milanese dish was everything I love and want in a meal! The crispy chicken escalope came out smelling amazing; topped with a cherry and smoky tomato, radicchio, olive and red onion salad and Gran Moravia cheese. Chicken and cheese? What a winning combo and the olive and red onion salad went beautifully with it.Talking of cheese I ordered a side of cauliflower cheese and this also did not disappoint...

This dish was warmth and comfort in a bowl and tasted every bit as delicious as it looks.

Pippa's butternut squash dish was comprised of wonderfully tender butternut squash, chargrilled red peppers and onions, freekeh grain, kale and toasted pistachios. I couldn't resist a little taste (don't worry Pippa invited me to try some, I didn't just grab her fork haha) and it was gorgeous- a big bowl of love that would be perfect to have after a long days shopping and to get rid of a chill. We also later realised that this dish is vegan, making Bill's a brilliant place to dine with our vegan friends.

Now after all this amazing food we were stuffed but like the true pros we are, we somehow found a small space in our tums for dessert! Our waitress Poppy wouldn't let us leave until we tried Bill's doughnuts. Again this isn't something I'd usually choose as a dessert but in the spirit of trying new things, we took her advice and went for it.

Oh my god those doughnuts were dangerous. I mean seriously, they were SO GOOD!! With fresh strawberries and warm chocolate and salted caramel dipping sauces, there was nothing not to love about these doughnuts. I had to question why I wouldn't have chosen them before!? Needless to say on my next visit to Bill's they will definitely be getting picked for pudding again.

If I weren't so full I'd have devoured them all but alas my jeans and stomach were telling me I had to stop. Thankfully, you can get a takeaway box to go if you can't manage your meal so these bad boys were not wasted and the coffee was the perfect pick me up post meal so I could head to my next event not wanting to snuggle down and go to sleep.

Bill's was just amazing and reviewing their awesome menu has got me planning in meals with family and friends over the upcoming weeks. I even got to take some goodies home in the form of champagne truffles, pink lemonade and raspberry jam so I can enjoy some of the Bill's experience at home!

Thank you to Bill's for letting me review their menu and reaffirming my love for their epic olives and moreish cocktails whilst discovering some new favourites. I also want to say thank you to Poppy our waitress who was awesome! Will you be heading to Bill's in Cambridge soon?