We hadn’t even sat down at the new Blake’s Kitchen in Witney when we espied two ladies in the corner eating what appeared to be a huge and tasty looking pizza. Peering at them surreptitiously, we were right. But how? Blake’s Kitchen doesn’t do pizza! Great coffee, cake and brunches yes, but pizza? Since when?
Since opening last month in Witney apparently, pizza oven in situ, and they looked so good that even though it was only 11am we ordered our own – a margherita (£11) – which arrived imminently; the dough bubbles crispy and blackened, the tomato sauce fresh and lavish with just the right hint of sweetness, the mozzarella generous, the slices droopy, the toppings almost sliding off the base, the home-made crust dippers (garlic and herb and gochujang aioli), encouraging us to eat slice after slice.
And only then could we look up and take in our surroundings, already mightily impressed.
Opening in the former Wychwood Brewery, its blue, factory floor and lofty interior proudly evoke its industrial heritage – the perfect space for a working bakery
If you’ve been to Blake’s Kitchen in Clanfield, Coleshill, or even Soho Farmhouse, you know what a treat is in store. But their new bakery and cafe in Witney is a whole different ball game.
Opening in the former Wychwood Brewery, just off Church Green on the Eagle Industrial Estate, its blue, factory floor and lofty interior proudly evoke its industrial heritage – the perfect space for a working bakery.
Buzzing when we arrived, the open plan bakery was busy in action at the end of the vast space
Buzzing when we arrived, despite its off street location, the open plan bakery was busy in action at the end of the vast space, much like Proof Social in Kennington, the cafe counter running along the wall, resplendent with pastries, buns, cakes and bakes, the blackboard menus above offering further options and drinks.
Tables fill the interior, further seating enticing you out into the sunshine by the car park, smaller, cosier rooms offering a more intimate experience.
we ordered the Turkish eggs – the egg yolks spilling out onto the herby, oily aubergines, warm spiced Aleppo butter, and thick yoghurt, perfect for scooping onto the sourdough
The menu is surprisingly extensive from brunch classics – smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, ham hock hash, or the bacon, egg, cheese and sweet chilli brioche, alongside sandwiches, salads and more.
And once we’d finished our pizza we took stock and ordered the Turkish eggs (£13) – garlic greek yoghurt, poached eggs, aubergine, Aleppo chilli, butter and sourdough with added chorizo (uh yes); the egg yolks spilling out onto the herby, oily aubergines, warm spiced Aleppo butter, and thick yoghurt, perfect for scooping onto the sourdough.
the cinnamon bun French toast arrived enveloped in a fresh custard; the vanilla and fruit cutting through the sugary bun rich with raisins and sweet icing sugar
We also dived into the whipped avocado and feta on sourdough toast with lime, house pickled red onion, and chilli (£12) and a portion of the cinnamon bun French toast (£12), which arrived enveloped in a fresh custard; the vanilla and fruit cutting through the sugary bun rich with raisins and sweet icing sugar. Another exemplary dish.
Judging by the queues lined up at the counter when we left, we are not alone in our new culinary crush, Blake’s Kitchen’s new cafe, bakery and pizzeria bringing a modern vibe to the market town, and another unique and exciting culinary addition to Witney.
Blake’s Kitchen in Witney gets a resounding thumbs up from us
So yes pizza for breakfast is our new favourite thing, especially here, and Blake’s Kitchen in Witney gets a resounding thumbs up from us.
Blake’s Kitchen, Units 9 – 12 Eagle Industrial Estate, Witney, (but approach from Wood Green) https://www.blakeskitchen.com/witney
