On the first of April, Jeremy Mogford’s iconic Oxford hotels and restaurants open their terraces for Spring. The recently refurbished Quod Restaurant & Bar unveils its brand new Italian garden terrace where you can enjoy a south facing feel of the Mediterranean. The Old Parsonage will set the table for smart al fresco dinner and drinks within the walled courtyard terrace, and Gee’s welcomes you to sit and watch the world go by amongst bay and olive trees with a cocktail or lazy summer supper…
Formerly a banking hall, and set within the Old Bank Hotel on Oxford’s High Street, Quod’s menu, lightened for the warmer months, will offer a mainstay of familiar European dishes such as Avocado Vinaigrette with crab mayonnaise; Salmon Fishcakes, spinach, lemon butter sauce; Smoked Trout Salad, romaine, cucumber, horseradish crème fráiche and spring lamb from Jeremy’s Rofford Farm. Classic cocktails will make their way to the terrace from Quod’s new onyx topped bar, delivering a toast to balmy evenings, or choose from an approachable yet eclectic wine list featuring a balance of old and new world wines. Quod’s redesigned Italian garden terrace has been paved in London York stone flags, with outside seating for up to 80 diners.
Oxford’s luxury hotel, Old Parsonage, set within the heart of the city similarly underwent a careful refurbishment in 2014, retaining the buildings 17th Century charm. The walled courtyard terrace will provide an idyllic setting to enjoy the kitchen’s traditional British menu, with signature dishes of Cornish crab salad, Rabbit & leek pie & treacle tart. Convivial Sunday Lunches will see classic roast beef & all the trimmings, while a set lunch menu of for two courses presents excellent value. A host of afternoon teas will also be available, such as Very Savoury Tea; homemade cheese scones, gentleman’s relish, savouries and sourdough soldiers or for a Champagne Afternoon Tea; finger sandwiches, homemade cakes and scones, clotted cream and jam and a glass of Veuve Deloynes Champagne.
At the Old Parsonage, verdant greenery and box hedges line the paved terrace, planted alongside Spring blooms. A fountain marks the focal point of the garden, while aged wooden tables will invite alfresco dining. A retractable awning illuminates the space in the evenings and provides outdoor heating on chilly nights.
Gee’s, housed within a Victorian glass house, provides the most beautiful and iconic restaurant setting in Oxford. The interior and garden terrace is lined with trees and plants, the open kitchen features a wood fire oven & charcoal grill, where Spanish and Italian dishes are simply prepared and expertly cooked. Think delicious small bites, duck leg terrine with cornichons, brown shrimp, caper & monks beard pizzette , parpardelle with venison ragu, wood fired guinea fowl, artichokes & aioli, to be enjoyed with a suitably spring-like glass of provence rosé…