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| Old Parsonage Hotel |
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The Old Parsonage Restaurant serves the very best of British food using the finest produce to create superb traditional dishes. The classic seasonal menu will appeal to everyone - expect breaded langoustine with caper mayonnaise, a daily changing terrine, the Parsonage’s own fish soup followed by either whole grilled lemon sole with tartare sauce or roast partridge with bread sauce and game chips. A good selection of seasonal classic dishes is on the menu served in this special setting, unique to Oxford.
Situated at the end of the beautiful boulevard St Giles my friend and I entered the Parsonage via the elegant candlelit terrace of the stone building dating back to 1660.
We went on a Friday night when there is always live jazz playing in the main bar with its Russian red walls covered with original cartoons and portraits. The fire was lit, the atmosphere was buzzing, the staff friendly and knowledgeable.
To start, I ordered Jersey crab salad, olive oil & lemon and my friend Carpaccio of beef with thyme. The waitress informed us that fish and shellfish are flown in twice a week from Jersey in the Channel Islands and meat, fruit and vegetables come from owner Jeremy Mogford’s Oxfordshire Farm, giving them complete traceability.
Main courses arrived in the form of Rib steak, gratin dauphinoise, red wine & shallot sauce and Pork belly, borlotti beans, bacon & sage. Both were delicious and cooked perfectly. Our waitress recommended the Italian Lugana which was sharp and fresh and the Old Parsonage claret, Chateau de Bernon which went perfectly with the beef.
Puddings, a fresh fig tart with Jersey cream and a plateful of English Cheese with apples from the owner’s farm ended the meal perfectly.
The jazz was world class, the double bass and piano adding even more atmosphere to the evening. You can just have a drink at the bar if you don’t want to eat.
We both agreed that we would come for afternoon tea within the week by the fireside. I hear the Old Parsonage does a fine champagne tea. For a special treat you can enjoy jazz, dinner and a room for two on Fridays at the Parsonage, or combine a Sunday stay at the Parsonage with dinner and jazz at their sister restaurant Gee’s just a few minutes walk along the Banbury Road, latest offers on the website.
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