Les liaisons délicieuses-In the first of a new series looking at what's brewing in Norfolk's café-bistro culture, Sarah Cassells speaks to Simon Turner from new French-flavoured venture Café du Commerce in Norwich.
Les liaisons d�licieuses
In the first of a new series looking at what’s brewing in Norfolk’s caf�-bistro culture, Sarah Cassells speaks to Simon Turner from new French-flavoured venture Caf� du Commerce in Norwich.pictures: Simon Finlay
How would you describe Caf� du Commerce?
It’s the kind of caf� you would expect to find on the corner of any French or Belgian city. The dishes use local ingredients and are made the way you’d find in France. The caf� has a European feel, without being pretentious; it’s laid back and friendly with good quality coffee.
Do you have a signature drink?
It has to be the hot chocolate made from 70pc Belgian dark chocolate. You can either have it thick with home-made cinnamon donuts to dip, or slightly thinner as a drinking chocolate.
What’s the flavour of your menu?
It’s French with something for everyone. At breakfast we offer home-made brioche and pastries, and local bacon and scrambled egg. Lunch is traditional fare of croque monsieur with gruyere cheese and local ham, classic ch�vre salad and home-made quiches. The evening has a more bistro feel with a three-course set menu of meat, fish and vegetarian options.
Which local ingredients can people find on it?
Everything is seasonal, so this month we’re using lots of root vegetables, cabbage and potatoes for our frites, many sourced from Norwich market. Our fish comes from Ford Yarham on Norwich’s Gloucester Road and our meat is from Swannington Farm to Fork.
How much should someone expect to pay?
Breakfast pastries start from �1, while egg-based breakfasts are around �4.50. At lunch, croque monsieur is �6, while Brancaster mussels or coq au vin are between �8 and �9. In the evening you can get light bites for between �4 and �6, or the set menu (Mon to Fri) is �7.50 for one course, �11 for two and �14.50 for three. Everything is also available to take away.
Have any of your cakes generated a following?
The rich, thick chocolate brownie and home-made tiramisu are popular.
What’s your top recommendation for January?
Soupe aux oignons – a warming French onion soup that’s made from slow-cooked onion, topped with toasted bread and gruyere cheese.
What’s nearby?
For shoppers, we’re only a five minute walk from Castle Mall and London Street. If you’re looking for a nice walk, we’re two minutes from the Cathedral or the riverside. And we’re on the way to Norwich City Football Club, so lots of people pop in for a bite to eat on a Saturday or Tuesday evening.
Caf� du Commerce, 42 King Street, Norwich, NR1 1PD, 01603 665880; www.cduc.co.ukOpen: 7.45am to 9pm (Monday to Friday); 9am to 4pm, 6pm to 9pm (Saturday).
