Cote, Cambridge

The continuing economic reliability of Cambridge still amazes me despite the vast majority of the country, as good as, being in recession. Another case study to enforce that view is the number of people out for dinner in Cote tonight regardless of the fact that it is a cold Monday in the middle of January. Admittedly, most seem to be students and are gone by half 9, but as a student I can’t remember eating out that often and even then very rarely in a mid-level, chain establishment like this. I’m meeting my friend R, as he wasn’t able to join my for birthday drinks at the weekend. We get offered a table by the door (an automatic no) or a table towards the rear, not far from a table of 30 odd, which we choose. I much prefer a bustle of noise to frequent wintery blasts on the back of the neck. I’m obviously getting old. I choose the Rilettes with toasted bread to start followed by one of the specials, a Cassoulet with beans, sausage and pork belly. Both are very serviceable and we share a surprisingly light bottle of Merlot as we shoot the breeze.