Review: The Oxford Collection: Christmas Edition

Myself and Nicola were kindly invited to join a group of writers and influencers, as well as some of the OC team, for a special festive dining experience at Quod.

We walked through the buzzing main room of Quod, greeted by gorgeous twinkly lights, the clink of glasses, and that unmistakable festive feeling.

We were led to the private dining room, the Red Room – which was glowing with fairy lights and a beautifully laid table complete with crackers and personalised menus – a lovely touch.

A glass of fizz was handed to me the moment I stepped in, and honestly, nothing gets me into the Christmas spirit faster.

Even though we’d pre-ordered our courses, we were also treated to a round of canapés to kick things off: pigs in blankets, butternut squash tartlets, salmon on cucumber, and chicken liver parfait. All delicious and more-ish. Can’t go wrong with pigs in blankets (especially a platter of them!)

The menu pulled from across Gees, Parsonage, and Quod, which I loved – a little tasting tour of The Oxford Collection all in one sitting.

For my starter, I opted for the salt cod croquettes from Gees. They came out super crispy on the outside and creamy inside, exactly how they should be.

Nicola went for the soft goat’s cheese, beetroot, and walnut salad. A salad isn’t something Nicola could say a lot about, was what it was. Possibly, it could have done with a dressing to enhance it a bit? Oh, and being a big walnut fan, a few more sprinkled on top would have been a bonus.

For my main (from Quod), I stuck with a classic: turkey with all the trimmings. The turkey was served as a roulade, which meant it was unbelievably moist and flavourful, and the sides were generous and fab. It was also my first ever experience with bread sauce – and yes, I liked it! Nicola also got the roast and loved it. All elements on the plate were delicious (we won’t talk about the brussels sprouts – Nicola isn’t a fan), and the bread sauce was definitely the highlight! A lot more filling than expected.

By dessert I was mega full, but I soldiered on with the chocolate pot with orange crème fraîche and almond praline. The chocolate was rich and smooth, but the almond snap on top was the star for me.

As a big dessert person, Nicola absolutely demolished this. Smooth, decadent, and she agreed that the almond praline on top was the highlight. Honestly, she could have had about 10 of those!

We’d enjoyed wine with the meal, but then someone mentioned how good the basil daiquiri is… so obviously we all had to finish the night with one.

A beautiful cocktail, its stunning green colour added the final perfect festive touch to the evening. SO refreshing and delicious – we’re already planning a return visit just for that.

All in all, it was such a lovely evening, a perfect example of the magic of The Oxford Collection. Each venue has its own vibe, but together they deliver consistently great food, warm service, and a festive atmosphere that genuinely feels special. They’re open throughout Christmas – including Christmas Day and New Year – so if you’re in Oxford over the holidays, definitely pop in for a drink or book a full meal experience!