Brit cuisine
England is perhaps legendary for the cooking, or lack of …
and yet there are a few things we do that visitors love. Here are a few of them here…
The Eccentric English Habit of the Sunday Roast
There’s something wonderfully eccentric about the English devotion to the Sunday roast, a curious ritual that sees the light of day every Sunday. In general restaurants will not serve it on other days of the week.
The main event is a choice of pork, lamb, beef or chicken, each with its proper companion: roast beef must come with horseradish, pork with apple sauce, and lamb with mint. The true crowning glory is the gravy rich, and tasty. Crispy roast potatoes are absolutely essential, often joined by cauliflower cheese, carrots, greens and, at Christmas, the dreaded sprout.
Every roast-lover has their preferred haunt. My fave for the pork crackling is The King’s Arms, a gorgeous pub in the centre of Oxford that still has a real coal fire and cosy snugs where time seems to slow down, a perfect setting for this most traditional of English indulgences.
Here are a few that I personally recommend…
Quod Restaurant & Bar
Website: https://www.quod.co.uk/
Stylish Sunday lunch menu including roast beef, chicken, and vegetarian options with lots of other bistro options..
The King’s Arms
Website: https://www.kingsarmsoxford.co.uk/
Historic central Oxford pu, a personal favourite, known for its “hearty Sunday roasts with all the trimmings.”
The Plough Inn (Cornmarket)
Website: https://www.theploughinnoxford.co.uk/
Traditional pub roast lunch in the heart of Oxford, just opposite St Michael’s Tower on Cornmarket
Magdalen Arms
Website: http://www.magdalenarms.co.uk/
Traditional Pub, Sunday roast, highly rated for quality ingredients and generous portions NB: is out of town to the East beyond the busy studenty Cowley Road area.
The Great British Breakfast
The fry up is one of very few pieces of English cuisine which has universal kudos in France. Whether you are a truck driver or a nuclear physicist it is agreed that it is something which we do well… like le fish and chip.
There are more and less classy versions. Some greasy spoons will serve tinned tomatoes. Some serve vine sweetened gently peppered mouth watering masterpieces. Whichever end of the fry up class divide you go there is always enough salt, fat and sugar (baked beans) to make an English Breakfast a naughty but delicious occasional treat.
In central Oxford the most proper greasy spoon cafe is in the Covered Market. Although it has been there for decades it does not yet have a website, but here are the directions to Brown’s Cafe.
And exploration of British cuisine in Oxford
Pub Grub
Like cricket, the scotch egg does not exist in France. I made the introduction today and it went down very well.
The King’s Arms does my favourite ever scotch egg. I’m pretty sure they are made fresh every day. They are so good. The egg is a little bit soft and the breadcrumbs so cruchy.
Fish and Chips
My group today commented that it is not possible to get decent fish and chips in France. Is it fair to say it is our national dish? The Kings Arms has amazing chips. We passed muster. It’s good to see the French admit that they simply cant do it like a Brit and enjoy it. I nearly mentioned a cuppa too.
Brunch and Breakfast
The Handle Bar, St Michael’s Street
The Handle Bar on St Michael’s Street. upstairs and close to the Wesleyan Church on New Hall Street. It’s delightfully quirky beloved for its brunches and décor of old penny-farthings and vintage bicycles with wooden wheels. Character-filled hideaway with hearty and wholesome fare.