A cheerful wood-burner in an ancient open fireplace adds to the hum along with pretty painted panelling and light wood furniture, all candlelit. Rooms leading to the back garden are small, intimate, harmonious and comfortable with fresh flowers and pictures on the walls. It's a fine place to nip into for a local ale after work but you'd be missing out if you didn't eat something.

Luke Champion and Alex Vaughan are two local lads on a mission, aided and abetted by a big circle of keen food producers in the area - there's a strong sense of community. They use an Oxford wine supplier, nearby coffee roasters, butchers, independent bakers and veg growers - organic and seasonal as much as possible. The menus are inventive and changed every week, but also retain pub classics and a lively twist for veggies.

The outside space is large with four big dining spaces, heated and with cushions.