French. Oxford, UK

June 2021

I first discovered the delights of Pompette during the lockdown with one of their At Home meals.  It was so memorable that it immediately went to the top of my list of restaurants to eat at as soon as restaurants could open up post pandemic.  My mum was in town one Sunday, restrictions had eased, it was time!

Pompette has such a great vibe - from the moment you turn off of Bnabury Road and see the vibrant red awning, to the laid back atmosphere that invites the long, leisurely lunches that France is known for.  I really could stay there for hours, beginning with their homebaked baguette and Burgundy butter to accompany an apperitif, moving on to the steak-frites and a good bottle of red wine, then finishing up with a coffee and digestif late in the afternoon.

The creme brulee is exceptional - everything you want from this luxurious dessert.  A wide, shallow dish to give the perfect topping to custard ratio, that satisfying crack as you break through the warm, caramelised sugar, the creamy, silken custard...

They also serve Tap Social Time Well Spent IPA on draft which gets plenty of bonus points from me.  Brewed in Oxford by an enterprise providing training and employment for ex-convicts, it's my current favourite beer.

Find Pompette on South Parade in Summertown.  There's a lovely large terrace, perfect for people watching and basking in the sunshine, or head for the elegant yet understated interior.  Whichever you choose, come with plenty of time and some great company! 

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