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Post by malcolmnl on Feb 8, 2011 8:15:51 GMT
I'm coming over for the Rotherham game this weekend and will be staying for 3 nights. As I'm out of touch with the restaurant scene in Oxford I'd love some suggestions for good places to eat. One evening is reserved for the Trout but lunch and evening suggestions would be welcome. Not too expensive but no dives, all tastes welcome. Transport out to a village is available so maybe some pubs for a good lunch?
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Post by junior1 on Feb 8, 2011 8:22:01 GMT
Avoid our hotel for dinner, the foods good and of high quality but it's expensive, saying that I could get you 20% off if you wanted?
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Post by baldy on Feb 8, 2011 8:59:30 GMT
Oxford, and Oxfordshire in general, is a massive let down for really good places to eat. Far too many places that put atmosphere above the actual food. Trust me, I've tried loads over the years.
A favourrite of mine for many years was The Lamb at Buckland, which is just off the A420 about four miles before you get to Faringdon. That place struck the right balance between food, atmosphere and service. I know it changed hands a year or two back and I must admit I haven't been back so couldn't really comment on it now.
My advice, especially in the city, would be stay away from the places that look the part. The trendy facade is normally the best bit about the whole experience.
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Post by KLYellow on Feb 8, 2011 9:16:08 GMT
Oxford, and Oxfordshire in general, is a massive let down for really good places to eat. Far too many places that put atmosphere above the actual food. Trust me, I've tried loads over the years. A favourrite of mine for many years was The Lamb at Buckland, which is just off the A420 about four miles before you get to Faringdon. That place struck the right balance between food, atmosphere and service. I know it changed hands a year or two back and I must admit I haven't been back so couldn't really comment on it now. My advice, especially in the city, would be stay away from the places that look the part. The trendy facade is normally the best bit about the whole experience. I agree Baldy. Although depends what kind of food Mal wants. There are so many that do English food, ie rub/restaurants. But there is a pub by the river on the botley to eynsham road. Think its called the Merlin or something. My dad has taken me there and if the sun is out, its nice. But for a pint you have to go to Falkland Arms!
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Post by junior1 on Feb 8, 2011 9:20:28 GMT
One we recommend to our guests at work is gee's on the Banbury Road, you can taxi it from the hotel as it's about 5mins away...if you go on Sunday they have a live jazz band
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Post by Contact eaststandboy on Feb 8, 2011 11:55:07 GMT
The Tree at Iffley do an amazing Sunday buffet.
Traditional Roast dinner is on offer, as well as their normal Indian food too.
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Post by sihath on Feb 8, 2011 12:04:28 GMT
The Old Trout in Thame is very good.
It was the place the first winners of "The Restaurant" BBC prog set up in. They have moved on and it's now run by the Peach Pub Company.
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Post by moobs on Feb 8, 2011 12:15:07 GMT
Frankie & Benny's ??
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Post by Robin Shater on Feb 8, 2011 12:27:15 GMT
The Old Trout in Thame is very good.. Oh, you've met my Mother in Law have you?
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Post by sihath on Feb 8, 2011 12:30:07 GMT
The Old Trout in Thame is very good.. Oh, you've met my Mother in Law have you?
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Post by unification on Feb 8, 2011 12:40:53 GMT
One we recommend to our guests at work is gee's on the Banbury Road, you can taxi it from the hotel as it's about 5mins away...if you go on Sunday they have a live jazz band He said not too expensive, Junior! Gee's looks the part, but is very overpriced. The problem with Oxford restaurant-wise is that it never really has to try. A steady stream of tourists and/or students means that nowhere really has to bother too much. Brown's is a perfect example of that - outdated, 70's style brasserie food, but does it go under despite the frequent poor reviews? No chance, because the tourists flock in and so do the students. That said, there is light on the horizon. The Magdalen Arms on Iffley Road has been awarded a Michelin accolade, Sojos on Hythe Bridge Street has enjoyed a generous write up from Giles Coren and Branca on Walton Street continues to welcome positive reviews. More choices from me:- - La Cucina (St. Clements) - Honest Italian. Always interesting specials and never expensive. - Cibo (Summertown) - Not been in a while, but never had a bad meal there. Italian. - Pierre Victoire (Little Clarendon Street) - One of my favourites. Food is good, if unadventourous, but the value of the set menu is the appeal. £19.90 for 3-courses. French. - The Bombay (Walton Steet) - Best Indian in Oxford. Aziz is criminally overrated. BYO as well.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Feb 8, 2011 12:41:11 GMT
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Post by sihath on Feb 8, 2011 12:46:26 GMT
One we recommend to our guests at work is gee's on the Banbury Road, you can taxi it from the hotel as it's about 5mins away...if you go on Sunday they have a live jazz band - Pierre Victoire (Little Clarendon Street) - One of my favourites. Food is good, if unadventourous, but the value of the set menu is the appeal. £19.90 for 3-courses. French. There used to be a Pierre Victoire in Windsor, just along from the Castle which was good. I've only eaten in the Oxford one a couple of times, but agree it's a good place to eat.
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Post by kidintheriot on Feb 8, 2011 12:51:19 GMT
In town I like 'big bang' in Jericho. It only does bangers and mash although there are about ten types of each plus multiple gravys to choose from. I was sceptical of the idea but having been their a few times I can recommend it. They also do a wide range of local beers.
It was reviewed in the guardian or independents as best place to eat for under 50 quid. You can get a main a desert and a beer and still have some change from a 20 note (thy don't take card)
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Post by Paul Cannell on Feb 8, 2011 12:54:06 GMT
Quite like the tapas place on Little Clarendon St, too.
You eaten in the Magdalen, unification?
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Post by The Fence End on Feb 8, 2011 12:54:43 GMT
I'm a foody and I can say there are a number of good places to go and eat in Oxford, all the following are good in my opinion:
Gee's on the Banbury Road, also Portobello's on North Parade is good.
There are a couple of good places down Walton Street too, Blanc's Brasserie and Branca.
In the city centre itself there are Quod on the High Street and the Chang Mae Kitchen down one of the ally's off High Street is simply stunning and I'd recommend that if you like Thai food. It's a quaint 15th century building so it has a good, refined atmosphere too. If you like proper Chinese try Sojo on Hythe Bridge Street - very popular with the Chinese and Japanese community. If you're after a more relaxed dinner try Restaurant Coco near the train station or Cafe Coco just past The Plain on the Cowley Road. The Kasbah next door does decent tapas too.
Fishers on St Clements is the best seafood place in Oxford.
If you're after gastro pubs in the City try The Magdelen Arms down the Iffley Road. Recently been taken over and renovated it does great food but is aimed at the Uni toffs so it may stretch the budget a wee bit. The Black Boy in Old Headington is another pub that's been changed into a gastro pub and does excellent food at very reasonable prices. The Fishes down Botley/North Hinskey is also excellent.
Out of the city, Trinity on Chapel Street in Bicester is superb. The Pheasant in Brill is good as is the Crazy Bear in Stadhampton (but can be pricy). The Mole in Toot Baldon (I think) is very good too but easily the best pub for food in The Nut Tree in Murcott (in between Kidlington and Bicester), they 'grow' their own meat and they were awarded a Michelen star last year but have still keep prices reasonable.
Take your pick, you won't be disappointed with any of these1
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Post by kidintheriot on Feb 8, 2011 12:56:25 GMT
I've eaten in their (mag arms) really need to be in a group of 4 at least as some of the meals (lamb and beef for example) are sharing dishes. Good food and drink but I would say it's best to make a night of it in their rather then pop in for a bite on the way to a game or elsewhere
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Post by unification on Feb 8, 2011 12:59:43 GMT
Quite like the tapas place on Little Clarendon St, too. You eaten in the Magdalen, unification? Yes, a couple of times. It's menu varies too so you can never get bored there. It's frequently rammed nowadays so booking is essential. I believe its owned by the same people who did a similar sort of makeover to a 'spit and sawdust' pub in London, but would have to check my sources on that one. Overall, two excellent meals there, but it's not one for the vegetarians!
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Post by Paul Cannell on Feb 8, 2011 13:07:31 GMT
Thanks.
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Post by junior1 on Feb 8, 2011 13:08:35 GMT
A few to choose from but You did ask Malcolm!
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Post by pugs on Feb 8, 2011 13:20:13 GMT
I'd echo unification's choice of Pierre Victoire on Little Clarendon St. A top little restaurant indeed and good value. If you like Indian then the Jee Saheb on North Parade is superb.......
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2011 14:14:43 GMT
Fishers on St Clements is the best seafood place in Oxford. better than Loch Fyne would you say?
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Post by grumpygit on Feb 8, 2011 14:27:34 GMT
The Nutree at Murcott or The Cherwell Boat House. Both do excellent nosh.
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Post by malcolmnl on Feb 8, 2011 16:57:24 GMT
Gentlemen (and ladies?), many thanks for all these suggestions. Guess I'll have to come for a few weeks to work through all these ideas.
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Post by alessandro on Feb 8, 2011 17:07:39 GMT
As mentioned up above, Portobellos is very good value and close to fine dining, but it's on South Parade not North Parade!
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Post by baldy on Feb 8, 2011 18:02:26 GMT
One we recommend to our guests at work is gee's on the Banbury Road, you can taxi it from the hotel as it's about 5mins away...if you go on Sunday they have a live jazz band Gee's used to be alright but I reckon its gone downhill fast in the last few years. I can't remember exactly what I had last time but it was highly forgettable I know that. Lots of smiley waitresses waiting for the tip, lots of apologies for the excessively long wait between courses and sub standard food. The Old Parsonage in St Giles wasn't too bad. Someone on here mentioned the Quod. That place has to be my least favourite in the entire county. That is a classic example of a restaurant that has forgotten what its supposed to be - a place for good food. I've thought of another place that surprised me just how good it was - The Lamb at Burford. I think it was the Lamb, its next to the Bay Tree hotel. Went there about 4 months ago and had a superb meal. If you want to venture out a bit try Russells at Broadway, near Evesham. Small but with a great atmosphere and great food.
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Post by junior1 on Feb 8, 2011 18:17:32 GMT
Malcolm and his mate will probley end up p*ssed after drinking to much black dragon at the priory and end up in burger king!!!
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Post by hablopicasso on Feb 8, 2011 19:33:18 GMT
The Mole and Chicken at Easington, takes about 30 minutes to get to from Oxford and the food is excellent. themoleandchicken.co.uk/Atomic Burger on the Cowley Road for the best burger of your life, and cool decor.
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Post by The Fence End on Feb 8, 2011 22:58:34 GMT
Fishers on St Clements is the best seafood place in Oxford. better than Loch Fyne would you say? Yes. And it's not a massive chain, just two restaurants I believe, one in Oxford and the other in Bristol I think.
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Post by Belgian Yellow on Feb 8, 2011 23:17:45 GMT
Better just to stick to fish and chips when in Britain, then stop off in Brussels on the way back for something proper.
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