Number One Kings Parade
The Cellars, 1 Kings Parade, Cambridge. Tel 01223 359506/354907
It’s amazing to think that nearly two years into the life of the Clap! we are still being introduced for the first time to quality bars and restaurants like Number One Kings Parade.
This venue did take me by surprise. As you descend the stairs you are met by a unique basement setting ‘with an eclectic mix of medieval, neo-classical and latin design.’ These are not my words, you understand, but those of manager Duncan Hall, who clearly enjoys his marketing input. The underground layout has four adjoining rooms, all with a slightly different atmosphere. As Duncan says, the interior design has quite diverse influences, such as medieavel carvings, the image of the fleur de lys running throughout and gargoyles, real fire places, quality murals and quite simply, a nice, relaxed ambience, with background music of classical, jazz and soul. As you descend the stairs you enter the first room, for drinks, with comfortable seating and a tidy little alcove. The next two rooms are for dining and the last, called the green room is hidden away right at the back and acts as a kind of chill out zone on party and DJ nights. This is when the dining tables are removed and Number One Kings Parade transforms into a venue for two hundred punters. Grand Central, Cambridge’s premier Garage and Soul night, were here for their new year’s eve party and presently ‘Number One’ is experiencing quite a push with private functions such as a host of 21st birthday parties and events run by Cambridge University.
The diversity of Number One Kings Parade is also reflected in the menu on offer. "We pride ourselves on doing the simple things with flare," says Duncan. "Our menu is international with an emphasis on traditional English and French culinary practices. There are so many good restaurants in Cambridge and I see Number One Kings Parade as a restaurant that floats around them all, with a very good awareness of how all these places operate. Here we are offering the people of Cambridge a wide choice of eating styles which reflects upon the cosmopolitan nature of the city’s dining venues. Flexibility is our strength and means we cater for a broad age range and change our emphasis throughout the day for these different needs. Coffee in the morning, an express lunch of 2 courses for £6.95 at midday, fresh scones and cakes, teas and coffees in the afternoon and an a la carte menu in the evening. At the same time we offer a stylish bar that has the dual role of pre-dinner refreshment or simply a class drinking venue." Blimey, he knows his stuff.
This venue did take me by surprise. As you descend the stairs you are met by a unique basement setting ‘with an eclectic mix of medieval, neo-classical and latin design.’ These are not my words, you understand, but those of manager Duncan Hall, who clearly enjoys his marketing input. The underground layout has four adjoining rooms, all with a slightly different atmosphere. As Duncan says, the interior design has quite diverse influences, such as medieavel carvings, the image of the fleur de lys running throughout and gargoyles, real fire places, quality murals and quite simply, a nice, relaxed ambience, with background music of classical, jazz and soul. As you descend the stairs you enter the first room, for drinks, with comfortable seating and a tidy little alcove. The next two rooms are for dining and the last, called the green room is hidden away right at the back and acts as a kind of chill out zone on party and DJ nights. This is when the dining tables are removed and Number One Kings Parade transforms into a venue for two hundred punters. Grand Central, Cambridge’s premier Garage and Soul night, were here for their new year’s eve party and presently ‘Number One’ is experiencing quite a push with private functions such as a host of 21st birthday parties and events run by Cambridge University.