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Ship Street
Oxford
OX1 3DA
Tel: 01865 242317
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| News Café |
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As the heavy door leading to the News Café closed behind me, the misty darkness of an Oxford winter night quickly faded and was replaced by mellow warmth. Upon my entrance into this eatery, the crisp blue walls and clean, golden floors seemed to protect and welcome me in from the wind and rain.
As a smiling server articulated this greeting, my companion and I were quickly seated in a cosy corner, surrounded by thick glass windows that conveniently blurred the outside, now distant world. We sipped brimming glasses of red wine as we watched the weary travelers of Cornmarket and George Streets, happily allowing the soft sound of chatting diners and the aroma of brewing coffee to generate a delicious refuge of resonance and smells around us. Soon, our stomachs began to rumble with hunger.
Motivated by these gurgles, we scanned a menu featuring a broad assortment of dishes. The News Café offers a selection of food ranging from meat and fish, to hearty salads, to vegetarian items and pastas. If you desire a quick snack or lunchtime meal, a homemade soup, appetizer, or hearty panini or bagel will satisfy any appetite, noon or night. And rumor has it that their enormous cups of coffee do not fail to satisfy, nor do their tea cakes.
As we contemplated this assortment of choices, my companion and I hungrily selected two appetizers to begin our dining experience at the Café — potato skins with cheese, bacon, and soured cream and crispy fried clams, each accompanied by a small, fresh salad of dark greens and rich vegetables. As we enjoyed these scrumptious starters, our appetites amplified and we chose our mains: my companion selected the local minted lamb burger on a toasted bap with black pepper mayo and chunky fries, while I chose the cod loin with a white wine and chive sauce with a side of cream mash and peas. Each luscious dish satisfied our hunger, as we shared bite after bite, continuously praising the hearty, succulent meats and rich, flavourful potatoes and vegetables that accompanied each dish. Despite quickly becoming full of both drink and food, we insisted on finishing everything on our plates, a telling sign of pleasure and enjoyment.
As our waitress returned to enquire about our satisfaction and to offer a dessert and coffee, I continued to ponder the menu and atmosphere of this restaurant. With all the bustle of Cornmarket Street, the News Café is easily overlooked. Yet, found on Ship Street, it is an affordable, fulfilling abode of food and drink very close by to the shopping and tourist attractions of the City Centre. It offers the a light lunch, evening meal, or simple escape from that hectic international coffee chains found just around the corner. When you stop by, don’t forget the array of scrumptious sweets and cakes showcased at the coffee bar.
You won’t regret sampling this café’s delicious menu, and you can also come to catch up on international news, as there is a variety of newspapers from around the world, and a tv streaming subtitled news. I for one will be coming back often, whether for a break during my hectic Christmas shopping, to catch up on current affairs, or for a quiet dinner before a film.
Reviewed by Abby Freeland |
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