If you’re expecting an imitation of Quince & Clover On The Square in Great Tew, transplanted onto the main square in Deddington, then you’ve been misinformed.
Because yes it’s a cafe, yes it’s independent, and yes everything is fresh and homemade, but the Deddington branch is smaller, with more of a takeaway vibe. It has tables outside when the sun is shining, but it veers more towards those popping in for a coffee, sandwich, pastry or salad and then going on their merry way.
Opening in November last year, it’s already settled into Deddington, a village which is certainly having a revival at the moment with its vibrant farmers market, shops, salons and pubs reopening ‘Its potential is huge’ The Unicorn in Deddington revived
The Deddington branch is smaller, with more of a takeaway vibe, veering more towards those popping in for a coffee, sandwich, pastry or salad and then going on their merry way
Luckily we were there on a sunny day and managed to nab an al fresco table, tasteful woollen rugs on hand in case we got cold, the blackboard brunch menu, leaning on a wall, beckoning us inside.
It doesn’t have the same variety of hot cooked food or salads, but what it does offer is very tempting. Huge sandwiches bursting with goodies, Açai berry bowls, fresh fruit smoothies, a juice of the day, toasted oat granola, overnight oats, porridge pots, avocado toast with free range bacon, sausage rolls. You get the gist.
The pastries are enormous and we were putty in their hands
The pastries are enormous and we were putty in their hands – a vast pain au chocolat quickly making its way onto the counter on our behalf.
The coffee hails from Origin Coffee in Porthleven, Cornwall, which we were keen to try and the grilled sausage, cheese and marmite ciabatta had our name on it. In terms of the sandwiches, the ‘med’ with mozzarella boasted such a rainbow of colours, we were good to go.
They bring your order out on a tray, and we settled in, right on the square, watching the village go about its business, as we sat back and soaked up the atmosphere and fresh air.
The coffee, one iced with maple, one latte, was beautifully styled with a smooth, caramel, nutty, rich finish. The quad choc pain au chocolat packed with dark batons and light crispy pastry.
The MED – a veg and mozzarella ciabatta sandwich was generously packed with roasted tomatoes, peppers, red onions, aubergines, freshly made pesto, artichokes and spinach
The MED – a veg and mozzarella ciabatta sandwich offered so much more; generously packed with roasted tomatoes, peppers, red onions, aubergines and enhanced with freshly made pesto, artichokes and spinach. Fresh, bright, tasty, loaded and healthy, it was a vibrant offering.
The sausage roll was packed with meat and herbs wrapped in that glossy pastry, but it was the unlikely sounding sausage, cheese and Marmite ciabatta (they don’t play it safe here) that really hit the spot, the presentation as impressive as the combination, although we’d have liked more Marmite.
We’ll be back for some of their lunchtime soups and famous fish stew, so as far as brunch goes, this is a picturesque and welcome addition to Oxfordshire’s every growing cafe culture and a great way to spread the Quince & Clover love, especially for the time poor who can whizz by, pick something up and eat in splendour at their desks, homes, breaks or just because they fancy a treat.
Quince & Clover On The Square, Deddington. https://quinceandclover.co.uk/on-the-square/
