No.14 Wesley Walk, Witney’s newest eatery, is ready to open – the brand new cafe/restaurant preparing for its launch party tomorrow (Sat Jan 18), when the Mayor and Town Crier will mingle with friends, family and fellow businesses.
And what a treat awaits! Antique mirrors, towering plants, paintings, a counter bursting with goodies, a huge open plan kitchen, a muted colour scheme, tables well spaced apart, booths, table service and outside seating, a lot of love and attention has evidently been poured into the new site.
‘We just want to be part of the community because Witney has got such a bustling vibe and is really thriving’
The brainchild of new owner Ryan Humphrey, No.14’s refurbished, spacious, tasteful interior beckons, having been transformed from the former Hackett’s site.
But then Ryan has always dreamed of opening his own place, and after a long career in hospitality, he felt now was the time to put his money where his mouth is.
“I’ve always wanted to be my own boss, and as I live in Witney it seemed the perfect location for my first cafe/restaurant,’ he says.
Throw in No.14’s head chef Peter Southey, and you can expect a culinary offering and Dexterity rarely found in your average caff
“We just want to be part of the community because Witney has got such a bustling vibe and is really thriving, so when the Hackett’s site came up we put in an offer and got the keys in September last year.
Throw in No.14’s onsite chefs and kitchen team, c/o head chef Peter Southey, and you can expect a culinary offering and dexterity rarely found in your average caff.
And while you can still get all the cafe classics here (soups, toasties and cakes), the rest of the menu sings.
try the crispy chilli beef salad, slow roast pork belly, apple, mash and greens for lunch, or the buttermilk chicken burger loaded with nduja, feta and fries
Think blueberry buttermilk pancakes with honeyed Greek yoghurt for brekkie, Welsh rarebit with buttered leeks and a poached egg for brunch, crispy chilli beef salad or slow roast pork belly, apple, mash and greens for lunch, or the buttermilk chicken burger loaded with nduja, feta and fries for an indulgent treat.
“Peter’s menus are brilliant, and because he’s classically trained he and his team make everything on site, which means the menu can be both extensive and ambitious,” Ryan agrees.
“Peter’s menus are brilliant, and because he’s classically trained, he makes everything on site”
“So we hope No.14 will fill the void between pubs and cafes, by providing somewhere comfortable, accessible and friendly, with really good food.
We first met Ryan when he was heading up The Carpenters Arms in Fulbrook REVIEW: “Moments of brilliance” The Carpenter’s Arms in Fulbrook is the perfect bolthole on a cold winter’s day! with his friends Tom and Siobhan, so he’s well versed in hospitality.
“I knew it was the space I’d been searching for as soon as I saw it.”
And with head chef Peter fresh from The Maybush in nearby Newbridge and before that The Three Horseshoes in Witney, and manager Cat Roberts from The Edge at Lil’s, Ryan is delighted with the No.14 team.
So what was it about the site that Ryan loved. “It’s so central, close to the car parks and has some wonderful arched windows and exposed brickwork. I knew it was the space I’d been searching for as soon as I saw it.”
With 50 covers inside and 20 more al fresco, Ryan hopes No.14 will take off. “It was a big investment, but I’m confident in our product and our team, and the feedback has been really positive, so we can’t wait to open,” he says.
‘we know what we’re doing, so come in and see us’
Ryan’s long term plan is to open two or three similar cafe/restaurants, but for now he’s firmly focused on his first born No.14.
“Until we open our doors tomorrow we won’t know exactly what people think, but we know what we’re doing, so come in and see us.”
No.14’s launch party is being held tomorrow and it opens officially on Sunday (Jan 19). Breakfast and brunch run from 9am-1pm, lunch from 11am-3pm and coffees and cakes from 7.30am-4.30pm. Sunday 11.30am-3pm. For more info go to https://www.no14wesleywalk.co.uk
