It takes your breath away as soon as you walk through the door of OXTWO, Summertown‘s newest restaurant, whose launch party is being held tomorrow night.
What a transformation! From the Art Deco style windows, which completely alter the former plate glass windows of the former Laura Ashley, and then Summertown Wine Bar, premises.
Venture inside and the cosy velvet armchairs and chandeliers beckon you in to sit and have a glass of wine in style. Brasserie style tables stretch across the front, unreservable, to ensure that locals can still pop in for a glass or two and some top tapas, without having to book.
Beyond, the bar has been refurbed with a stunning dried floral display courtesy of Cotswold Botanical, whose flower art continues in boxes along the walls. Bottles rest on copper wall plinths on the Wall of Fame, where customers who finish a bottle can have theirs tagged and put on display.
Tropical plants proliferate and the dark green colour scheme perfectly highlights acclaimed local photographer John Blackwell’s photos. Fringed hanging lampshades hang over the bar, which is dotted with faux leather ball stools, as the multiple dining areas pan out, from banquettes to tables and even a tasting room for private dining and wine tasting.
The brand new kitchen is packed with chefs busy preparing for tomorrow night’s launch party, using their sparkling equipment for the first time under the watchful gaze of executive head chef Johnny Parke.
‘we are confident and feel very lucky to be opening a restaurant of this calibre here in Summertown’
In short, OXTWO is sexy, sultry, sophisticated and enticing. It’s somewhere you want to be, to eat, drink and enjoy. The Brewmish team, who came on board with the SWB guys to transform the space into a restaurant cum wine bar, have done a great job. It’s stunning.
Managing to grab MD Chris Brewster and Johnny Parke for a chat, (the pair already run the popular Back Lane Tavern in Woodstock and The Duke further up the roads part of the Brownish team), the pair are visibly excited.
It’s been seven weeks of hard graft but OXTWO looks even better than the duo had ever anticipated and they are delighted with the results.
“it’s been the best project I’ve ever worked on, in terms of a high end finish, and it’s been fun so much fun,” Chris says. “Everyone has gone above and beyond to make sure OXTWO now has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, somewhere you want to be, and that extends from the decor to the food and the drinks offering, with 80 covers.
‘Everyone has gone above and beyond to make sure OXTWO now has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, somewhere you want to be’
With Johnny in the kitchen that’s a guarantee, the menu based around his new Robata chargrill BBQ. From dishes such as coconut lobster bisque with lemongrass and kaffir lime to Colchester oyster with ponzu and sambal, roasted cauliflower with sheeps cheese and chicken skin, rare breed Tamworth pork taco, Cotswold lamb rib and chimichurri, roasted peppers with tapenade and monks beard or banana tart tatin with yoghurt ice cream, it’s immensely tempting.
Throw in a full vegan and kids menu, extensive bar snacks, Sunday roast and Sunday night raclettes, and we’re in for a treat, which is why Saturday night is already fully booked.
“We are feeling very positive,” Johnny confirms. “We’re really happy with the team, and the food, and now we just have to wait and see if everybody likes it.”
“It’s a big pressure, and at times it’s been quite stressful get everything ready in time, but we are confident and feel very lucky to be opening a restaurant of this calibre here in Summertown,” Chris adds.
‘we’ve all put our all into it and are very proud, so we can’t wait to welcome everyone in from Saturday. It’s very exciting’
“We’ve done our research and know there’s a gap in the market for OXTWO, so yes now the pressure is on, but we’ve put our all into it and are very proud, so we can’t wait to welcome everyone in from Saturday. It’s very exciting.”
OXTWO is at 267 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7HT. For more info or to book go to https://www.oxtwo.co.uk
