We’d been warned it would be heaving at No.14 Wesley Walk in Witney, reports of queues trailing out the door of the gleaming new cafe/restaurant filtering their way through.
It wasn’t a surprise, the hype around Ryan Humphrey’s new endeavour well known. But we risked it anyway, keen to try the new fare cooked on site by the kitchen team under the watchful eye of head chef Peter Southey.
Already a big hit, No.14 is in prime location, just off the High Street and framing the huge car parks by Waitrose. READ ABOUT WHY RYAN HUMPHREY TOOK ON THE SITE HERE
‘if No.14 set out to encompass everyone from all walks of life, it is succeeding’
But while many other businesses have failed to make a go of it under similar circumstances, we can’t see that happening here judging by the wonderful mix of the very young with mums, office workers and the elderly crowding in when we arrived.
Which is exactly what new owner Ryan Humphrey intended when he transformed No.14 into a spacious, tasteful interior in the former Hackett’s site.
Managing to squeeze into a table at the back (you can’t book) next to the huge framed windows, we were just in time for either the breakfast/brunch (9am-3pm) or lunch 11am-3pm, which made it impossible to choose.
There are so many tempting options, from a full English to creamy garlic mushrooms on toast, a Welsh rarebit with leeks and a poached egg or a crispy chilli beef salad. Even the humble jacket potato has been given a makeover, here served with pulled pork and smoked Applewood (£11)
Making a mental note to return and try everything else before we’d even ordered, we plunged in. First a heads up on the coffee, made with love, it’s a beautiful cup – rich, deep and nutty.
Then the blueberry buttermilk pancakes with honeyed greek yoghurt (£8.50) and bacon (an extra £2). The pancakes were soft and light, obviously made on site, the blueberries piquant rather than overly sweet, the yoghurt offsetting the syrup, the crispy bacon laid out on top, giving it a salty crunch. (see main pic)
The kipper and potato gratin with poached egg and smoked pancetta (£9.50) was comfort food at its best, sautéed and scattered with chives, it was a highly original and delicious offering.
That was breakfast over and we immediately moved on to lunch, the generously sized buttermilk fried chicken feta and nduja flatbread (£14.50), the chicken shell crispy, the meat moist, the nduja giving it a hit of spice, full of strong flavours.
We couldn’t finish with trying at least one of the beckoning pastries and cakes behind the counter, finally settling on the scones, lathering them with cream and jam.
Around us tables of friends and family finished up reluctantly, off to continue with their days, but if No.14 set out to encompass everyone from all walks of life, it is succeeding because it manages to keep the more traditional cafe-goers happy with the classics, while adding a few more innovative dishes to keep the gourmets on their toes. Throw in the friendly but professional service and you’re onto a winner.
Come summer, when Ryan aims to have numerous tables outside, the place will be able to accommodate even more avid customers, but in the meantime No.14 has landed exactly where it wants to be.
No 14 Wesley Walk, Witney is open seven days a week. Go to https://www.no14wesleywalk.co.uk for more details.
