It’s gorgeous at Grand Cru on North Parade, the new wine bar hailing from the owners of Xi’an, the Pan-Asian restaurant in Summertown.
Think terracotta walls, art, walls of wine, a long wooden bar, and tables right through to the back. As we arrive a gentleman is tucking into an impressive charcuterie board with a glass of red wine, looking mighty pleased with himself, and who can blame him?.
A group of colleagues are relaxing after a hard day at work, their cocktails being compiled by mixologist Reuben, while they peruse the dim sum menu. Another man arrives to ask Amy Tse what bottle of wine will go with the meal he is cooking.
Welcome to Grand Cru, which covers all the bases, from upmarket off license, to Asian tapas stop, wine bar, wine tasting venue and community hub, with the greatest of ease.
‘we like that Grand Cru is hidden away because when people find us they come back and bring their friends’
But why North Parade and why now? Amy Tse laughs and shrugs. A doyenne of the hospitality industry, having run the highly successful Xi’an in Summertown with her husband since 1968, they own the Grand Cru building, which formerly housed an art gallery.
Five years ago the couple began discussing the possibility of opening their own neighborhood wine bar with one of their friends Steve, a chemistry professor at Oxford University and a huge wine connoisseur. So when the art gallery closed, the trio kicked into action and began planning Grand Cru.
“We love art and wondered if there was a way to combine exhibiting paintings with a relaxed and inviting space where people can come and have a glass of wine and some nibbles, or buy a bottle of wine on their way home,” Amy says.
we love North Parade – it’s got so much character – and we wanted to offer something new to the locals
Cosily fitting in with the pubs, curry houses, coffee shops and produce stores on North Parade, Grand Cru has landed perfectly without any fuss or bother.
At the moment it boasts WILD WOMEN’s Garden and Goddesses exhibition, as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks, the space perfect for the vivid paintings. “When we took on the site it was literally a blank canvas, so it still has that gallery element to it, and we want to support local artists by putting their art up here,” Amy explains.
“Besides, we love North Parade – it’s got so much character – and we wanted to offer something new to the locals, a combination of restaurant, wine bar and community hub.”
Which is why they are planning to host supper clubs, wine tastings events and even a games night there, Amy wanting Grand Cru to be somewhere for the locals to just come in and relax.
‘the dim sum seemed the natural choice considering it’s made freshly just up the road in Xi’an every day
Wine wise, there is everything from a casual glass to something more elite: “We aren’t sommeliers but we know our stuff and because of Steve’s links, if anyone is looking for something special, we can try to order it in, even direct from the vineyard. Plus anything on our wine lists you can also buy to take home.”
As for the dim sum, it seemed the natural choice considering it’s made freshly just up the road in Xi’an every day, and is going down a treat at Grand Cru; from bao buns to dumplings and spring rolls, as well as specials such as noodles, rice parcels, yakisaba and Korean fried chicken. Throw in the Japanese taco, cheese and charcuterie boards, and the fresh oysters twice a week, and you won’t go hungry.
“We had a Japanese restaurant and a noodle bar in Oxford before,” Amy says,” and the oysters go so well with champagne.”
So why does Amy think there is such a wine bar renaissance? “I think things changed after Covid. People had time to appreciate wine at home and wine bars are perfect for popping out after work to meet a friend, or just take a break and get out of the house. It’s somewhere to relax without the hustle and bustle or a pub or restaurant.
‘a lot of our customers hear about us through word-of-mouth’
“But for us, Grand Cru is a real gathering place, so a lot of our customers hear about us via word-of-mouth. We like that Grand Cru is hidden away because when people find us they come back and bring their friends, so we’re building up a really strong customer base.”
Grand Cru is at 16 North Parade Ave, Park Town, Oxford OX2 6LX https://grandcruoxford.com
