Shelby Elmore

City: Cambridge, England, UK
Food & Drink: Jamie’s Italian, Dosa Hut, City Center Farmers Market

Hey hey, Fam!

Some of you may know I set off on a worldly adventure about a month ago. If not then SURPRISE!! Crazy, I know! I literally signed my apartment lease over to a friend, packed up a suitcase, donated everything else I own and took off to England.

Flash forward to now and things are going pretty great. It’s pretty chilly here and there isn’t much nightlife unless you’re in a big city. Exercise is limited to playing a sport or going to the gym and hiking doesn’t really exist because the land is fairly flat. So, the majority of our time is spent on photo adventures admiring the gorgeous historical architecture, eating English comfort food, watching a cheeky show on the Tele, or snuggling up to read a book.

Right now the plan is to stay put in England through the Holidays and then figure out what’s next. There are a lot of unknowns but I couldn’t be more excited for this adventure! I’ve started this new column, “Food & Wander” so that I can bring you along with me. I’ve always loved traveling and taking photos of food, so hoping to make this an on-going thing! First up, a day trip to Cambridge.

This city was incredible and oddly it was the first time I’ve felt at home since being here. My father is a total history buff and I know he would be in awe over all of the libraries and the entire University in general.

Back home, one of my favorite things in the summer is wandering around farmers markets and fairs. I love all of the smells circulating from the food and the liveliness of watching people hunt for their “treasure” of the day. Here the locals are friendly but not overbearing, letting shoppers take their time without pressure. Then comes the best part; I let my taste buds take over and dive into some food! I can honestly say that buying nibbles from a handful of vendors so I can try a little bit of everything is one of my top 3 hobbies no matter where I am!

To finish out the day was a stop by Jamie’s Italian for a couple cocktails. I grew up watching Jamie’s cooking shows with my parents and was over the moon when I saw his name in a restaurant window. It’s pretty incredible how such small things can bring you joy and content like being at home even when you’re thousands of miles away.

I’m starting to learn that home is not as much of a place as it is a state of being. As for what the future holds, I’m not really sure. But for now, I know that whatever I am feeling at this moment is home to me.

Finding beauty in simplicity. Life doesn’t always have to be hectic or excessive to take your breath away.

I wish you could have smelled those waffles!

I am officially dosa-obsessed! It’s is basically a savory fermented crepe made from rice, lentils, and corn. Then stuffed with meat and veggies. Yes, it’s gluten-free 😀 Dosa Hutt at the Cambridge market is an absolute destination spot! They offer authentic Malaysian and South Indian street food that will have you craving more for weeks to come.

I had the daily special, Keema Dosa. Which means minced lamb and egg. It was so decadent and clean, with pungent flavor from herbs and spices. The grill is cleaned between crepes using a fresh lemon wedge, which gives it a nice acidity that cuts through the richness of the lamb. I could eat this dish all day!

Did you know the University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and has over 100 libraries on campus? Talk about knowledge being power!

Cocktails at Jamie’s! I was totally stuffed from lunch, but they do offer a nice range of gluten-free options I’m looking forward to trying sometime in the near future.

I normally go for the spirit-forward cocktails. However, this time I went for refreshing and tried a classic Amaretto Sour. At 3 O’clock in the afternoon, I’d say this was a great choice!

All in all, I absolutely loved Cambridge and the odd nostalgia it brought me. If you’re planning on going I’d highly recommend spending more than a day there. I can’t wait to go back.

Stay tuned for more adventures in new cities!

❤ xx,

Shelbs