Jericho
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
The Jericho area, just outside of the town centre, is full of wonderful little eateries. But even with all of those the Oxford Branca still manages to shine!
With a little outside seating area, complete with warm, tartan blankets, it’s perfect for the newly arrived summer sunshine that blesses Oxford (nearly) every year.
Being an Italian restaurant, the menu largely focuses on gourmet style pizzas and hearty pasta dishes, but don’t worry as there’s a wonderful range. The roast duck with fried gnocchi is a personal favourite, and the complimentary bread and oil manages to hit the spot every time!
Food type - Italian
Food/Drink quality -4.5/5
Dietary requirements - 2.5/5
Service - 5/5
Value - 4/5
Décor - 3/5
Find out more www.branca.co.uk
Showing posts with label Student review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Student review. Show all posts
Friday, 17 July 2015
Friday, 10 July 2015
The Big Society
Cowley Road
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
I’m sure as students you’ll all come to have your favourite pub - the local that manages to churn out hearty grub when you need it most. For me it’s always been ‘Bic Soc.’.
Not only is the building itself lovely, and situated outside the town centre which gives you a reason to explore a little more of Oxford, but the garden area is adorably decorated. And with free table football, if you can manage to bag a slot, as well as the scrumptious food.
Burgers and ‘dogs a plenty, the mere smell of the food will make your stomach growl, though admittedly it’s the bacon man ‘n’ cheese that is my guilty pleasure.
Add all this to the fact that they serve up stacks of pancakes and waffles until the late hours, there isn’t much room for them to go wrong!!!
Food type - Burgers
Food/Drink quality -3/5
Dietary requirements - 2.5/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 4/5
Décor - 3.5/5
Find out more www.bigsocietyoxford.com
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
I’m sure as students you’ll all come to have your favourite pub - the local that manages to churn out hearty grub when you need it most. For me it’s always been ‘Bic Soc.’.
Not only is the building itself lovely, and situated outside the town centre which gives you a reason to explore a little more of Oxford, but the garden area is adorably decorated. And with free table football, if you can manage to bag a slot, as well as the scrumptious food.
Burgers and ‘dogs a plenty, the mere smell of the food will make your stomach growl, though admittedly it’s the bacon man ‘n’ cheese that is my guilty pleasure.
Add all this to the fact that they serve up stacks of pancakes and waffles until the late hours, there isn’t much room for them to go wrong!!!
Food type - Burgers
Food/Drink quality -3/5
Dietary requirements - 2.5/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 4/5
Décor - 3.5/5
Find out more www.bigsocietyoxford.com
Friday, 19 June 2015
Pierre Victoire
Oxford City Centre
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
There’s nothing better than a little French bistro serving up dishes fit for kings, and there’s one smack bang in the middle of Oxford.
Hidden down one of the side streets, this little piece of Paris offers up wonderfully cooked and authentic French cuisine. From traditional snails to the most luxurious cheese fondue I have ever had the pleasure of indulging in, Pierre Victoire is bound to leave you bursting at the seams. In the best way of course!
Do keep a look out for their chalkboard specials as well, they are often very well priced, and the seating upstairs is a tad cosier if that’s more your thing.
Food type - French
Food/Drink quality -5/5
Dietary requirements - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 2.5/5
Décor - 4.5/5
Find out more
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
There’s nothing better than a little French bistro serving up dishes fit for kings, and there’s one smack bang in the middle of Oxford.
Hidden down one of the side streets, this little piece of Paris offers up wonderfully cooked and authentic French cuisine. From traditional snails to the most luxurious cheese fondue I have ever had the pleasure of indulging in, Pierre Victoire is bound to leave you bursting at the seams. In the best way of course!
Do keep a look out for their chalkboard specials as well, they are often very well priced, and the seating upstairs is a tad cosier if that’s more your thing.
Food type - French
Food/Drink quality -5/5
Dietary requirements - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 2.5/5
Décor - 4.5/5
Find out more
Friday, 5 June 2015
Bill’s
Oxford City Centre
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
It seems nowadays Bill’s is everywhere, and rightly so, but the Oxford establishment is a beauty. Once an old town hall, there’s a gorgeous balcony area inside that provides the perfect spot for a light, or luxurious, lunch.
Bill’s do home cooked style dishes and they do them well! From burgers you can customise with avocado and crispy bacon to creamy fish pies. With the added bonus of a pink lemonade ice cream float gracing the menu, it makes it an even more perfect place to spend an evening.
You’re even given your own shopping list, so that you can pick from all the wondrous ingredients that they also sell.
Food type - British favourites
Food/Drink quality - 3.5/5
Dietary requirements - 4/5
Service - 2.5/5
Value - 4/5
Décor - 4/5
Find out more http://bills-website.co.uk/restaurants/oxford/
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
It seems nowadays Bill’s is everywhere, and rightly so, but the Oxford establishment is a beauty. Once an old town hall, there’s a gorgeous balcony area inside that provides the perfect spot for a light, or luxurious, lunch.
Bill’s do home cooked style dishes and they do them well! From burgers you can customise with avocado and crispy bacon to creamy fish pies. With the added bonus of a pink lemonade ice cream float gracing the menu, it makes it an even more perfect place to spend an evening.
You’re even given your own shopping list, so that you can pick from all the wondrous ingredients that they also sell.
Food type - British favourites
Food/Drink quality - 3.5/5
Dietary requirements - 4/5
Service - 2.5/5
Value - 4/5
Décor - 4/5
Find out more http://bills-website.co.uk/restaurants/oxford/
Friday, 15 May 2015
The Rose
Oxford City Centre
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
The parents are visiting and you’re in panic mode because you haven’t thought of anywhere significantly parent worthy to take them for a nice bite to eat. Look no further than The Rose, placed slightly before you hit the mayhem of the city centre. This little eatery churns out quality fry ups like there’s no tomorrow.
The interior is all dark wood and white walls, creating an incredibly stylish seating area that any parent would be happy to spend a couple of hours in. With luxury dishes such as ‘Crispy Fried Goats Cheese’ and a ‘Salmon Gravadlax Ciabatta’ gracing the menu, along side classics such as customisable omelettes and steak & ale pie, The Rose is bound to satisfy all the family.
The afternoon tea that they also offer rivals that of The Grand Cafe located directly opposite. With a selection of finger sandwiches and a long glass of prosecco, there’s nothing like it to make you forget you’re a student for a little while. Oh and who can resist a warm scone, guaranteed to make the Southerner in all of us long for the coast.
Food type - Breakfast & Brunch
Food/Drink quality - 4/5
Dietary requirements - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 2.5/5
Décor - 3.5/5
Find out more http://the-rose.biz
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
The parents are visiting and you’re in panic mode because you haven’t thought of anywhere significantly parent worthy to take them for a nice bite to eat. Look no further than The Rose, placed slightly before you hit the mayhem of the city centre. This little eatery churns out quality fry ups like there’s no tomorrow.
The interior is all dark wood and white walls, creating an incredibly stylish seating area that any parent would be happy to spend a couple of hours in. With luxury dishes such as ‘Crispy Fried Goats Cheese’ and a ‘Salmon Gravadlax Ciabatta’ gracing the menu, along side classics such as customisable omelettes and steak & ale pie, The Rose is bound to satisfy all the family.
The afternoon tea that they also offer rivals that of The Grand Cafe located directly opposite. With a selection of finger sandwiches and a long glass of prosecco, there’s nothing like it to make you forget you’re a student for a little while. Oh and who can resist a warm scone, guaranteed to make the Southerner in all of us long for the coast.
Food type - Breakfast & Brunch
Food/Drink quality - 4/5
Dietary requirements - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 2.5/5
Décor - 3.5/5
Find out more http://the-rose.biz
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
Kazbar
Cowley
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
For lots of students the Cowley area is a hub of restaurants and bars, busy every night of the week thanks to it's thriving community. This makes finding a decent and yet cheap place that isn't a pub or a fast food chain a little hard.
But if tapas is your thing then look no further! I adore being surrounded by little dishes of the most exciting variety of foods, mixing flavours and tastes and trying new foods. Kazbar makes this experience simply wonderful.
Greeted by a gloriously Moroccan themed bar as you enter, with the restaurant space tucked round the corner, it's already beautiful. The Moroccan twist seeps into the menu, creating a complete mix of dishes you can pair up, with equal emphasis on meat and veg. Their home made Sangria is something I've yet to find a rival for, adding a fresh and fruity touch to any meal.
At surprisingly low prices for the wondrous quality of the food, it seems a shame not to grab a few friends and chow down on a table-full of flavour. With colourful glass lamps and plush velvet cushions filling every corner it really is a hidden gem.
Food type – Moroccan style tapas
Food / drink quality – 5/5
Dietary requirements – 4/5
Service – 3/5
Value – 4/5
Decor – 5/5
Find out more www.kazbar.co.uk
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
For lots of students the Cowley area is a hub of restaurants and bars, busy every night of the week thanks to it's thriving community. This makes finding a decent and yet cheap place that isn't a pub or a fast food chain a little hard.
But if tapas is your thing then look no further! I adore being surrounded by little dishes of the most exciting variety of foods, mixing flavours and tastes and trying new foods. Kazbar makes this experience simply wonderful.
Greeted by a gloriously Moroccan themed bar as you enter, with the restaurant space tucked round the corner, it's already beautiful. The Moroccan twist seeps into the menu, creating a complete mix of dishes you can pair up, with equal emphasis on meat and veg. Their home made Sangria is something I've yet to find a rival for, adding a fresh and fruity touch to any meal.
At surprisingly low prices for the wondrous quality of the food, it seems a shame not to grab a few friends and chow down on a table-full of flavour. With colourful glass lamps and plush velvet cushions filling every corner it really is a hidden gem.
Food type – Moroccan style tapas
Food / drink quality – 5/5
Dietary requirements – 4/5
Service – 3/5
Value – 4/5
Decor – 5/5
Find out more www.kazbar.co.uk
Monday, 2 March 2015
Jacob’s Chop House
Headington
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
Headington is quite often known as the centre of charity shops and medium sized supermarkets, but just off of the London Road, just past the petrol station, is a very well hidden eatery.
Open from breakfast till dinner, and specialising in locally sourced meat, it’s a rose among the thorns. The menu is seasonal, meaning your favourites may disappear for a while but allowing the chefs to do what they do best - taking advantage of high quality, in season produce.
Whilst this establishment is admittedly not a vegetarian’s dream, it makes up for it with their adventurous seafood specials and spirit collection.
With limited tables, I’d advise booking in advance as the wonderfully reclaimed wooden flooring is often bustling with hungry customers in the evenings and at weekends.
A real find, especially if you like your steak cooked a perfect medium-rare or even just a good old fashioned rarebit.
Food type - Mostly meat based British favourites
Food/Drink quality - 4/5
Dietary requirements - 3/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 3/5
Décor - 4/5 (Check out the tables made from old Singer machines)
Find out more - 01865 764486
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
Headington is quite often known as the centre of charity shops and medium sized supermarkets, but just off of the London Road, just past the petrol station, is a very well hidden eatery.
Open from breakfast till dinner, and specialising in locally sourced meat, it’s a rose among the thorns. The menu is seasonal, meaning your favourites may disappear for a while but allowing the chefs to do what they do best - taking advantage of high quality, in season produce.
Whilst this establishment is admittedly not a vegetarian’s dream, it makes up for it with their adventurous seafood specials and spirit collection.
With limited tables, I’d advise booking in advance as the wonderfully reclaimed wooden flooring is often bustling with hungry customers in the evenings and at weekends.
A real find, especially if you like your steak cooked a perfect medium-rare or even just a good old fashioned rarebit.
Food type - Mostly meat based British favourites
Food/Drink quality - 4/5
Dietary requirements - 3/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 3/5
Décor - 4/5 (Check out the tables made from old Singer machines)
Find out more - 01865 764486
Monday, 2 February 2015
All Bar One
Oxford City Centre
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
More often than not I try to avoid chain restaurants. There’s just something about a family-run café on a corner that you don’t usually get with a business that has hundreds of outlets.
All Bar One, however, never fails to please. With tons of offers available throughout the day, from a cheaper lunch menu to discounted cocktails all evening, it’s a magnet for students looking for quality food at takeaway prices.
For those of you wanting something a little different and willing to spend a little bit more, there are plenty of customisable options to their larger, full price menu. Guacamole is a must with their burger selection.
They also proudly sport a wide variety of wine, to satisfy those more sophisticated evenings out, even if it is only one glass.
In a nutshell, All Bar One serves wonderful food, ranging across many cuisines, whilst offering up great promotional deals only a well-established chain could, and did I mention they serve breakfast too?
Food Type - International favourites
Food/Drink quality - 4.5/5
Dietary requirements - 3/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 3.5/5
Décor - 4/5
Find out morewww.allbarone.co.uk/all-bar-one-oxford
All Bar One, however, never fails to please. With tons of offers available throughout the day, from a cheaper lunch menu to discounted cocktails all evening, it’s a magnet for students looking for quality food at takeaway prices.
For those of you wanting something a little different and willing to spend a little bit more, there are plenty of customisable options to their larger, full price menu. Guacamole is a must with their burger selection.
They also proudly sport a wide variety of wine, to satisfy those more sophisticated evenings out, even if it is only one glass.
In a nutshell, All Bar One serves wonderful food, ranging across many cuisines, whilst offering up great promotional deals only a well-established chain could, and did I mention they serve breakfast too?
Food Type - International favourites
Food/Drink quality - 4.5/5
Dietary requirements - 3/5
Service - 4/5
Value - 3.5/5
Décor - 4/5
Find out morewww.allbarone.co.uk/all-bar-one-oxford
Monday, 12 January 2015
Turl Street Kitchen
Oxford City Centre
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
In the heart of Oxford’s centre is a little blue restaurant on a corner, the Turl Street Kitchen, located underneath the home of the Oxford Hub. The Hub is a student-run organisation centred around volunteering and campaigning, and the eatery below it is a magnet for students.
The rustic styled establishment doubles as a simple café during the few hours it isn’t serving glorious comfort food, meaning you can always grab a strong coffee to power through those never ending essays.
Like other restaurants in Oxford, it takes advantage of local suppliers, meaning that the menu changes daily so you get the chance to taste all that Oxford has to offer. One of my personal favourites is their vegetable and blue cheese bake, and if you get a chance the sticky toffee pudding too - perfection in a bowl.
With meals to make you feel like you’re right back at home for barely more than £10, their cheap treats are more than worth indulging in when you’re at your most homesick.
Food Type - Seasonal British favourites
Food/Drink quality - 4/5
Dietary requirements - 4/5
Service - 3.5/5
Value - 4.5/5
Décor - 5/5 (The long sharing tables make it that much more homely)
Find out more www.turlstreetkitchen.co.uk
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
The rustic styled establishment doubles as a simple café during the few hours it isn’t serving glorious comfort food, meaning you can always grab a strong coffee to power through those never ending essays.
Like other restaurants in Oxford, it takes advantage of local suppliers, meaning that the menu changes daily so you get the chance to taste all that Oxford has to offer. One of my personal favourites is their vegetable and blue cheese bake, and if you get a chance the sticky toffee pudding too - perfection in a bowl.
With meals to make you feel like you’re right back at home for barely more than £10, their cheap treats are more than worth indulging in when you’re at your most homesick.
Food Type - Seasonal British favourites
Food/Drink quality - 4/5
Dietary requirements - 4/5
Service - 3.5/5
Value - 4.5/5
Décor - 5/5 (The long sharing tables make it that much more homely)
Find out more www.turlstreetkitchen.co.uk
Monday, 1 December 2014
Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK)
Oxford City Centre
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
Having frequented Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) many times myself, and dragging friends along relentlessly as well, I can honestly recommend it as a fail-safe burger place. It’s a brilliant student haunt, with customizable milkshakes a plenty, from peanut butter to lime, and well worth a visit or two.
With a wonderfully broad menu that often showcases specials including buffalo and Persian lamb, it’s a burger lover’s dream.
Don’t stop at mains though, sweet potato fries have long evaded my cooking skills and GBK is one restaurant that does them perfectly, along with complimentary ‘baconnaise’ to die for.
The GBK app gives all students 30% off the bill, and the £5.95 lunch menu offer are just more little extras that makes this restaurant, in my opinion, a brilliant cheap treat for all students.
Food type - Burgers
Food/Drink quality - 4/5
Dietary requirements - 4/5
Service - 5/5
Value - 4/5
Décor - 4/5 (Complimentary monkey nuts by the bar)
Find out more www.gbk.co.uk/location/oxford
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
Having frequented Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) many times myself, and dragging friends along relentlessly as well, I can honestly recommend it as a fail-safe burger place. It’s a brilliant student haunt, with customizable milkshakes a plenty, from peanut butter to lime, and well worth a visit or two.
With a wonderfully broad menu that often showcases specials including buffalo and Persian lamb, it’s a burger lover’s dream.
Don’t stop at mains though, sweet potato fries have long evaded my cooking skills and GBK is one restaurant that does them perfectly, along with complimentary ‘baconnaise’ to die for.
The GBK app gives all students 30% off the bill, and the £5.95 lunch menu offer are just more little extras that makes this restaurant, in my opinion, a brilliant cheap treat for all students.
Food type - Burgers
Food/Drink quality - 4/5
Dietary requirements - 4/5
Service - 5/5
Value - 4/5
Décor - 4/5 (Complimentary monkey nuts by the bar)
Find out more www.gbk.co.uk/location/oxford
Monday, 3 November 2014
Malmaison Brasserie
Oxford City Centre
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
The Malmaison hotel restaurant, built into the old Oxford prison - where many of the cells have been refurbished into elegant rooms - lives up to the high standards of the famous chain.
In the cellar resides the elegant and chic Malmaison Brasserie, a gorgeous restaurant with a wine list to match the splendour of the castle.
The menu focuses on hearty European dishes that will leave any hungry tummy stuffed. The cooked-to-order aged steaks are gradually becoming my favourite dish on the menu. There is also the classic burger selection along with more adventurous dishes of Goan tiger prawn curry and ahi tuna tartar, meaning there is always something to fit all tastes.
The fixed menu Sunday lunch offers enough variety but at a lower price, meaning you can pig out in style without completely breaking the bank. A bit pricey at times, yes, but there are often sharing deals on the website, and for a celebratory meal at the end of the year, the surroundings and quality of splendid food is well worth the price tag.
Food type - European
Food/Drink quality - 5/5 (Check out the extensive cocktail list)
Dietary Requirements - 4/5
Service - 5/5
Value - 3/5
Décor - 5/5
Find out more www.malmaison.com/locations/oxford/brasserie/
Reviewed by Hannah Holt
The Malmaison hotel restaurant, built into the old Oxford prison - where many of the cells have been refurbished into elegant rooms - lives up to the high standards of the famous chain.
In the cellar resides the elegant and chic Malmaison Brasserie, a gorgeous restaurant with a wine list to match the splendour of the castle.
The menu focuses on hearty European dishes that will leave any hungry tummy stuffed. The cooked-to-order aged steaks are gradually becoming my favourite dish on the menu. There is also the classic burger selection along with more adventurous dishes of Goan tiger prawn curry and ahi tuna tartar, meaning there is always something to fit all tastes.
The fixed menu Sunday lunch offers enough variety but at a lower price, meaning you can pig out in style without completely breaking the bank. A bit pricey at times, yes, but there are often sharing deals on the website, and for a celebratory meal at the end of the year, the surroundings and quality of splendid food is well worth the price tag.
Food type - European
Food/Drink quality - 5/5 (Check out the extensive cocktail list)
Dietary Requirements - 4/5
Service - 5/5
Value - 3/5
Décor - 5/5
Find out more www.malmaison.com/locations/oxford/brasserie/
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