Cherwell

Cherwell offre vibrazioni del classico paesaggio rurale inglese con piatti locali sostanziosi come salsicce e purè, pesce e patatine, e stufati confortanti, celebrati in pub e ristoranti accoglienti.

Farmshop

Farmshop

50 Pingle Drive, Cherwell, United Kingdom

Tea • Pasta • Coffee • Chicken


"MrsC decided, as part of her recovery, for us to meet at Bicester Village for a wander in the Autumn sunshine and perchance to get some victuals whilst we were about it. I met her at the well appointed Bicester Village station (which must have the best waiting room, by far, of any network rail destination in the country) early doors and we pootled over to Farmshop for a late breakfast. We were seated swiftly, on entering, on a row of two cover seatings along the expansive framed windows alongside a walkway into the outlet village. A minor concern, on scanning the menu, was the perceived absence of both dairy alternatives for the drinks and a plant based breakfast choice beyond coconut yoghurt, granola and berries (which someone on the adjacent table had and looked very good). Somewhat perversely we found a cooked “plant based” breakfast in the Eggs section? Which, in concert, we both ordered and then were informed by our server, Nikole, that they had a plethora of PB alternatives for their hot drinks. So we added a coconut flat white, for MrsC, and a decaf oat milk latte pour moi. Both the drinks and food were despatched to the table in good time and were very good. The PB brekkie dispensed with faux meat items and the, now, ubiquitous scrambled tofu and a large oval plate was generously filled with; Fresh wilted greens with a soupçon of salt crystals and chopped chives Two gently softened fresh halved tomatoes Half an avocado mixed with fresh mint Two decent sized freshly cooked flat cap mushrooms Two slices of toasted sourdough (sadly bereft of any spread) Some disappointing canned baked beans and Less than homemade mini hash browns. All in all a light, but substantial, vegan breakfast with, mostly, freshly cooked ingredients of good quality. Coffees were good to boot. Service was light touch but attentive and warm and we enjoyed a great start to our meander around the “village”. It would probably warrant a 4.5 but for the irritating and unnecessary addition of a 13.5% “discretionary” service charge to the bill. I recognise I’m a curmudgeonly old fart but, on two counts, I find these additions an affront. Firstly “discretionary” means an individuals choice; not one unilaterally applied by the restaurant for the customer to have the “discretion” to remove it! As MrsC will willingly avow, especially if alcohol has been involved, I am more than willing to apply the traditional discretionary service thank-you (or tip as we used to refer to it) both regularly and generously. Further frustratingly there is no blanket suggestion that said 13.5% is given to the backroom staff or front of house. Secondly why is there a need to add a service charge and negatively differentiate yourselves? If my breakfast needs to be priced at ,a not unreasonable, £14.76 rather than the menu price of £13.00 than so be it. That’s far more honest and transparent than the route taken and a whole lot less alienating than the current practice. Surely there’s an expectation that if I’m ordering a meal via table service that it will be delivered to me where I’m sat? It seems churlish to add a sum to the bill for the taking of my order and its delivery to me. In summary. Service was great Food was very good. Menu could be clearer. Restaurant space is great with good atmosphere Service charge is a nonsense. Would I recommend it. Of course. There’s loads more positives than downsides and the quality and quantity of the food and the service itself is spot on."

The Milk Shed

The Milk Shed

Manor Farm, Cherwell, United Kingdom

Coffee • Salads • Cheese • Chicken


"I'd been recommended this place by a work colleague last Autumn but hadn't taken the opportunity until now;I am so glad I did. On arrival, the whole place is fairly unassuming. Situated at Manor Farm, just outside Weston On the Green, close to the Heyfords, we were greeted, following a short stroll from the car park, with an A board showing lots of items as sold out. It was almost 1.45pm and they stop serving hot foood at 2.30pm. Our initial concerns were abated after being shown to a sharing table [i.e. sitting with other customers] and given the short but varied food menu. The Milk Shed is definitely a brunch venue and the opening hours match that assumption : 10.30am to 3.30pm. It was bustling, busy and has the added attraction of what looked like homemade ice cream to take away. We ordered from the main menu, which features standard breakfast choices, backed up by dishes such as Grilled chorizo and piquillo pepper crostini and a deep filled cheesy tart, alongside a mega salad plate with herb grilled chicken and a yellow lentil dahl. The children's menu includes scrambled eggs, pasta and that old reliable, beans on toast. We opted for the toasted sourdough smoked streaky bacon sarnie and the Milwaukee rye with avo, halloumi, roast tomato, basil mayo and leaves. Both were generously proportioned and flavoursome. Priced at £8 and £14 respectively, I would say that it was a bit more expensive than we are used to but, on reflection, the quality of the food is clearly evident from the first bite. My wife's sarnie was delicious and you could see the steam rising off he just cooked bacon. As for my open sandwich, it was one of the most delicious brunch dishes I have tasted outside of UE Coffee Roasters, just outside Witney. The star of the plate is the basil mayo : rich, bold and with a vinegary sharpness that complemented the halloumi and super sweet tomatoes, roasted to perfection until their unctuousness caressed the taste buds. This mayo oh my they need to sell it in big jars, somehow !! The golden chunks of halloumi mixed with the creamy smashed avocado worked incredibly well together. Most impressive was the rye bread I don't know whether it is bought in or made on site but it retained both a light and chewy aspect, with a subtle complexity of flavour that perfectly offset the mounds of delicious savoury toppings. In addition we ordered two smoother than you could imagine cappucinos and a shared slice of lemon and poppy seed cake. The latter was light, infused with lemon flavour and rounded off with a smooth, moreish buttercream. Another delightful touch is the free tap water refills that come reassuringly cold. After paying, I popped my head into the kitchen and thanked the chef for the fantastic tasting food. We will be back again within the month. I cannot recommend The Milk Shed enough. Go, as soon as you can!"