Two of Oxford’s historic pubs – Turf Tavern and Jude the Obscure – have launched exciting new menus.
At the Turf Tavern, which has been serving ales and appetisers to England’s literary elite, politicians, presidents and movie stars since 1381, customers can expect great British pub food, done well and fresh from the kitchen. This notoriously difficult-to-find pub is tucked away down St. Helen’s Passage, just past Oxford’s much-photographed Bridge of Sighs.
Visit any day of the week, and you’ll find a revitalised menu featuring Seafood Risotto – a creamy risotto with king prawns, Hampshire Breed Pork Belly – a crispy pork belly with apple & squeak, Pulled Mushroom Chilli served with parsley basmati rice and Beer-battered Atlantic Cod and Chips.
And their chefs are happy to rustle up all your old favourites – from Sunday Roasts with 28-day aged Sirloin of beef, Shropshire White Chicken Breast, Nut Roast Wellington, Chicken and Bacon Sandwiches, as well as many other quintessential pub classics. Not forgetting the delightful triple-cooked chips.
Start the meal with salt and pepper seasoned crispy squid, king prawn & chorizo skewers on warm ciabatta and Beer battered halloumi bites topped with red chilli and pickled red onion.
The baked British Camembert and the British Cheese Board – with Blacksticks® Blue, 1833 Barbers Vintage Cheddar, and Cricket St Thomas® Camembert – make for great sharing options if you are feasting with friends.
And, if, after all that, there’s still room left for dessert, finish your meal with a classic Italian fruit punch panna cotta or pick from traditional and somewhat solidly English options like an indulgent Sticky Toffee Pudding, a luscious chocolate and salted caramel torte or a sweet apple pie.
Just a stroll from the famous spires of Oxford, you will find Jude the Obscure, a ‘proper pub’ with an award-winning bar and kitchen, named after the famous Thomas Hardy novel and located on Walton Street in Jericho.
This Greene King hostelry recently had a complete interior redesign, bringing a fresh new look to the classic urban pub. Now the menu to has been given a meticulous makeover with a new tapas-style menu featuring a wide range of dishes ideal for social sharing or, indeed, for keeping all to yourself.
Customers are encouraged to “mix up flavours” with dishes like Beer battered haddock Goujons, British farm assured chicken wings, Crispy Squid, Nidderdale Sausages, Sweet Potato & Avocado Bruschetta, Pan Fried King Prawns & Chorizo and Karaage Sticky Chicken.
There’s also a British Cheese Board, with Barbers 1833 Vintage Cheddar, Crickets St Thomas Camembert and Blacksticks Blue with chutney, that’s ideal for sharing.
Fear not. You can still go solo and enjoy a true pub classic. The new menu includes crowd-pleasers like Ezme Marinated Chicken Salad made with British farm-assured chicken, Seabass Chowder, Pulled Mushroom Chilli and Katsu Chicken Burger alongside staple favourites like Steak & Ale Pie, Beer-Battered Cod & Chips and Sunday Roasts.
Even the desserts are made for sharing, whether it’s the Sharing Dessert – chunks of chocolate brownie, Belgian waffle, meringue pieces, fresh strawberries and raspberries drizzled in chocolate sauce and raspberry coulis, or the Lemon Tart – served with fresh raspberries and vegan vanilla ice cream.
Ahead of launching the new menu, Paul and Bev Vanstone, General managers at The Turf Tavern, said: “Food is a central part of any evening, and we’ve spent weeks developing our new menu, ensuring we can offer a range of dishes here at The Turf Tavern.
So whether dining alone, on a date night for two or having dinner and drinks with a dozen friends, there’s always something to be enjoyed by everyone, and we can’t wait for people to try out the new menu.”
