Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Oxford's Cheap Eats
(
&
01865/241973) is a great place to
pick up sandwiches that start at £2.
You can get fine British and European
cheeses at the
Oxford Cheese Shop
(
&
01865/721420;
www.oxfordfinefood.
com) or home-baked breads and cakes
from
Nash's Bakery
(
&
01865/
242695
), which was established in
nearby Bicester in 1930. And there's
always
Brown's
(see below) for a
hearty English fry-up.
Prices tend to be high at Oxford restau-
rants, but there are a few bargains to
be had in the
Covered Market
(between
the High Street and Cornmarket; www.
oxford-covered-market.co.uk). Outpost
of Bristol's gourmet pie company,
Pieminister
(
&
01865/241613;
www.
pieminister.co.uk) sells savory meat
pies from £5. The original
Ben's Cook-
ies
(
&
01865/247407;
www.bens
cookies.com) bakes up delicious cook-
ies for around £1.20, and
Fasta Pasta
INEXPENSIVE
Al-Shami
LEBANESE Bearing the archaic name for the city of Damascus, this
enticing Lebanese restaurant knocks out superb Middle Eastern cuisine. Many din-
ers don't go beyond the appetizers, which include more than 40 delectable hot and
cold
meze
—everything from falafel and hummus to Armenian sausages and fried
chicken livers. They may be described as “small dishes,” but six-to-eight plates
between two diners makes for a filling meal. Chargrilled chopped lamb, chicken, or
fish constitute most of the main-dish selections. Desserts are chosen from the cart,
and vegetarian meals are also available.
25 Walton Crescent.
&
01865/310066.
www.al-shami.co.uk. Reservations recommended. Main
courses £5.75-£12. MC, V. Cover charge £1 per person, plus 10% service charge. Daily noon-midnight.
Branca
ITALIAN This quality Italian bistro in the trendy enclave of Jericho, a
short stroll north of the center, cooks up perfectly seasoned fish and al dente pasta,
and a decent house Chianti is offered as well. The seafood risottos are a light and
creamy delight, topped with just enough chopped parsley and lemon zest, but don't
ignore the main dishes. Pork is masterfully done here: The pan-fried pork cutlet with
Parmesan herb breadcrumbs and tomato-chili salsa is exceptional. Meat and vegeta-
bles are sourced locally.
111 Walton St.
&
01865/556111.
www.branca-restaurants.com. Reservations recommended. Main
courses £9.95-£16, pasta from £6.75, pizza from £8.45. MC, V. Daily noon-11pm.
Brown's (Covered Market)
TRADITIONAL ENGLISH Don't confuse this
no-frills diner, deep inside the Covered Market, with the posh (and overrated)
Brown's
on Woodstock Road. If you're curious about traditional Brit cafes, or just crave a “greasy
spoon,” you're in for a treat. Think sausage sandwiches, proper fish and chips, hearty
fry-ups (fried bacon, mushrooms, eggs, and toast), apple pie and custard, and mugs of
tea guaranteed to cure the deepest hangovers. They even have cereals if you're feeling
guilty. Customers range from Oxford professors to locals on their lunch break.
Ave. 4, Covered Market (Market St. entrance).
&
01865/243436.
Main courses £3.50-£8. No credit
cards. Mon-Sat 8:30am-5:30pm.
Edamamé
JAPANESE Oxford's best Asian restaurant serves authentic Japanese
home-cooked food at reasonable prices. The
ramen
(noodles) in particular attract a
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