Midlands & East Anglia

The perfect pint

Situated on Peas Hill and housed within a stunning four-storey building, Pint Shop is a fantastic new public house for Cambridge.

Pint Shop opened its doors in November 2013 and with a focus on great meat, delicious bread and a selection of beers, is the perfect place to stop off for a drink or a catch up with friends.

Pint Shop replaces a former office building which was converted by main contractor du Boulay, with interior architecture and design practice Macaulay Sinclair completing the interior design work. Macaulay Sinclair is an innovative studio, with a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector, completing works for many leading clients, including Hawksmoor and Wagamama.

As the first new public house in Cambridge for more than ten years, Pint Shop is an inviting venue, which incorporates a selection of drinking and eating areas, including an outdoor space. Pint Shop takes its inspiration from the beer houses of the 19th Century, which are often viewed as the starting point for the modern pub, and sits within a popular area of central Cambridge.

The pub also includes a collection of artwork which is exhibited by Byard Art, which will change up to three times a year. Featured artists at Pint Shop include Ann Winder-Boyle, Barry Goodman, Bronwen Patterson, Michelle Thompson, Rachel Clark, Colin Moore, Claudio Missagia and Alberto Dambruoso.

A spokesperson for Pint Shop said:

“Pint Shop is all about creating a place that embraces eating and drinking equally; a place where you feel equally at home having a few beers, a light lunch or a full blown feast. A place where people from all walks of life, rub shoulders with each other.

“The original ‘beer houses are viewed by many as the birth place of today’s pub. We want to take the spirit of those original beer houses, namely craft beer, intimacy and fun; throw in some killer food cooked on coals just as it was in 1830 and deliver it with a bunch of amazing people.”

Boasting 16 taps of British craft beers, alongside a selection of whiskeys and wines and an impressive collection of 40 gins – including the specially distilled pea gin – Pint Shop’s drinks menu is second to none. Pint Shop’s list of beer is also forever-changing, meaning that parched patrons will be able to sample something different each time they pop in for a pint.

Although a bumper crop of beverages is certainly a highlight of Pint Shop, good food is also an important offering, with a weekly menu available that benefits from three different cooking methods: spit roasting, charcoal grilling and slow cooking. Dishes at Pint Shop include 10oz rib-eye steak with shallot and marrow butter, onion rings and chips; beer brined chicken, with chips and curry butter; and braised pork belly with cider and white cabbage.

In addition to a mighty meat menu, Pint Shop has a fish and vegetarian alternative and offers a two or three-course, pre-theatre menu. For those just after a little nibble, Pint Shop even has a selection of small treats, ranging from Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, to fennel pork scratching and chilli beer sticks!

Rounding out the menu is a selection of hearty desserts, including fruit wine trifle; apple and quince pie with cream; and buttermilk pudding with poached pear.

For more information on Pint Shop, or to make a booking, please visit: www.pintshop.co.uk.

Vision Commercial Kitchens

Vision Commercial Kitchens offer clients a complete solution to project development. They work with clients from the initial design process, through to equipment specification and supply as well as project management, installation and after sales service.

They have been in operation for 13 years and are headed by Directors with over 80 years combined industry experience. Their expertise spans various industries and previous projects include care homes, garden centres, restaurants, hotels and public sector.

Vision Commercial Kitchens have worked in partnership with Malmaison, DeVere and Village Hotels, Leon Restaurants over a long period of time. The company have installed two restaurants at the Mandarin Oriental, London – Bar Boulud and Dinner; the latter being Heston Blumenthal’s first London restaurant.

They have also worked on Sea Container’s House – a huge project aimed at refurbishing the building which situated on the South Bank of the River Thames. The building was renovated into a destination four star hotel.

Most recently they have been involved in the development of Pint Shop in Cambridge. Vision design, specified, supplied and installed the commercial kitchen at the venue.

Jack Sharkey of Vision Commercial Kitchens said:

“We helped source bespoke, specialist items, and worked with the suppliers and client to test these products. We ensured the product delivered the concept; in particular this applies to the Robata Churrasco Grill, sourced from the Clay Oven Company.

“Vision also worked with the design team to make sure all the equipment could be accommodated within the design. Loadings were tight on site for both gas and electric so a fine balance had to be drawn here.”

Vision have worked with Pint Shop owners previously and hope to continue to work with them going forward. Jack said Pint Shop is an exciting, original concept that is a pleasure to be involved with. The venue offers traditional, core values with an exciting, new food offer.

Vision pride themselves on having the best team that are able to deliver high quality advice and customer service to all clients.

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Roma Publications