Alimentum hit the ground running when it opened in 2007, & has become a byword for smart-casual dining in Cambridge. Since then there has been a change of owner, but Mark Poynton’s chef-patron approach has raised the gastro bar even higher in the simply appointed red & black dining room. The modern European menu relies on careful sourcing & fresh ingredients to make dishes shine. Conservation & ethical awareness are paramount: meat from local farms, fish from sustainable sources, & a bias towards organic & locally grown produce across the board. Poynton was formerly head chef at nearby Midsummer House & doesn’t aim to break boundaries, but delivers pitch-perfect food in the shape of breast & tongue of lamb with anchovy & Cambridge sauce, & fillet & belly of pork with soubise purée & buttered carrots. Blackberry & Granny Smith mousse with Granny Smith sorbet provides the perfect finish.