Having been away on holiday there is A LOT to catch up on news-wise, so I’m packaging it all up into one eco-friendly round-up of all the latest local food goss.

Food & Drink News

I recently received a copy of The Immigrant Cookbook, published by Cowley Road-based publishers, New Internationalist. The book is a collection of recipes from immigrant chefs, from their homelands. A wonderful concept and beautiful publication, which leaps effortlessly from one culture to the next. The RRP is £20.00 but it’s available for £13.89 on Amazon at the time of writing this, you can order your copy here.

The Dodo Pub Co. is launching a social experiment to encourage customers to take time out from their tech. The pub group, which includes The Rusty Bicycle and Rickety Press, is challenging visitors to seal their phones away in exchange for discounted food and drink. Those managing to resist temptation for one, two or three hours without breaking the seal will receive a 5%, 10% or 15% discount off their bill respectively. The Phone Amnesty will run every Tuesday from 5pm throughout September and if successful it will become a permanent fixture across all Dodo pubs.

Deliveroo started offering deliveries to boats this summer, by way of GPS location tracking! According to the food delivery service, a Deliveroo rider tied a rope to his bag and carefully lowered it to a punt, where a couple on a romantic date on the River Cherwell were waiting.

A BIG name on the Oxford restaurant scene – Sojo – closed temporarily after a customer complained of finding a cockroach in their food. Ooh, a bit of extra protein I hear you say? Inspectors reportedly found evidence of rats and cockroaches upon visiting, leading to the closure. The critically praised and locally popular Chinese restaurant was allowed to reopen soon afterwards, once issues had been resolved.

New Restaurants

Skogen Kitchen is now OPEN and eager for lots of lovely customers – check out the pics from my recent visit. The Swedish cafe is on King Edward Street alongside Sandy’s Piano Bar and the new Barefoot Cafe, serving freshly made meals and in-house baked goods. Owner and head chef, Clare, hails from

It’s neighbour Barefoot Cafe is also now open for business, resplendent in pastel pink and bright white. King Edward Street fast becoming a cool foodie hangout.

Itsu at Westgate Oxford opened, the brand’s second city centre site. All the usual good Itsu stuff but a little bit fresher style-wise, so if you’re shopping at the centre you can get your spicy tuna roll fix even less of a walk.

New places to chow down seem to have popped up all over Cowley Road this summer, including Antep Kitchen. I had an email from one of our readers recommending the new Turkish restaurant, saying “Great food, veggie options, puffy Turkish bread, affordable etc. Suggest you do a review of it. Wasn’t keen on the lighting. Halogen central.” Thanks Jason 🙂

Restaurant Closures

We heard of the closure of St Clements based Cous Cous Cafe. I’ll never forget running in there, heavily pregnant, desperate for some fried halloumi, and being served by a man with the biggest smile. He made one hormonal woman very happy that day and was the epitome of excellent customer service.

A sad loss to St Clements and, sadly, a sign of the difficulties local restaurants are facing. It’s been a hard summer for a lot of independents, so make sure you go out and support them if you want to keep them!

Summer’s almost over!

I am the last person happy about this, but it’s true, Summer officially ends later this month. Have you made the most of it? Find some last minute ideas in our Summer Guide, packed full of al fresco dining spots, cool kid-friendly and kid-free places, plus FREE FOOD from The Coconut Tree. Our all shiny, all new Autumn Guide will be out soon!

News to report? Email me editor@bittenoxford.co.uk.