A new street food influenced ‘foodie heaven’ opened in Ely last week and it has been described as the city’s ‘latest treat’.
Silver Oak Coffee, Ely’s local independent coffee roastery owned by Susanne Stent and Bruce Garside, opened The Yard in Newnham Street on Sunday March 19.
The business has been featured in the Ely Standard before for bringing specialty coffee to the Fens, making coffee for the England Women’s football team, and winning the Ely Standard Small Business of the Year.
More than 600 guests poured into the ‘gorgeous’ new venue, which is spread over five shipping containers, and features a children’s play area, coffee shop, restaurant, bar and outdoor seating area.
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The food, produced by Chef Josh Held and his young team, is delivered out of his kitchen containers called ‘The Backyard Kitchens’ and is street food influenced.
He makes his own sausages, ‘The Yard Dogs’ and burgers, all his own sauces, and a range of ‘incredibly good’ vegan and veggie options such as an ‘innocent kebab’ and boa buns.
Owners Susanne and Bruce said they were “overwhelmed” with the wonderful support they have already received from the Ely community.
“Around 600 people poured into The Yard and quickly made themselves comfortable in a multitude of comfy outdoor seating options, which include seating in a cute little kids playroom and indoor booth seating,” they said.
“With an emphasis on the outdoors, all covered with a dramatic canopy, people kept describing The Yard as having ‘a great vibe’.”
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The emphasis on a shared space and community is emphasised throughout the venue.
The bar container ‘The Yard Arms’ offers sharing carafes of wine and jugs of beer, as well as its own creative range of cocktails produced by a lively expert team.
The coffee container produces the ‘delicious’ own roasted Silver Oak Coffee that Susanne and Bruce “know and love” but is now supplemented by treats from the dessert container.
The Yard is within walkable distance from Ely station and also backs onto free car parking. It is equally ideally located for visitors to Ely Cathedral and local shoppers.
An official grand opening of The Yard will be taking place this Saturday (March 25).
The venue is open every day except Monday from 9am until 9pm on weekdays, and 9am until 10pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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