We started our evening with drinks on the rooftop bar.
It was the day the weather properly snapped cold, so we were slightly worried, but Treadwell’s enclosed winter bar was a dream: warm, cosy, and effortlessly chic. The interiors strike that perfect balance between elegant and relaxed, and the staff couldn’t have been friendlier. They talked us through the cocktail list, which isn’t just your run-of-the-mill menu of classics, with loads of inventive, playful options in there.
I went for the Felicity, which arrived under a smoked dome (a bit of theatre, which is always fun). The flavours were really interesting: smoky, sherbety, and with a hint of lavender that somehow worked.
Nicola went for the Ignis Renascens, which is their twist on a spicy marg, which was really brought to life with the grapefruit. All the flavours blended together really well, and the glass complemented it perfectly. Simply beautiful and one was more than enough as it was quite strong (for me at least haha).
We then headed downstairs to Treadwell, feeling hungry.
We shared two starters between us: the Crab Arancini and the Cheddar Churros with saffron aioli
The arancini instantly transported me to Italy, golden and crisp on the outside, soft and warm inside, with that seaside tang I love. Nicola found them a bit too fishy, but for me, they were delish.
The cheddar churros were another winner: ridiculously light and crispy, good chunky size, and just the right level of indulgence. The saffron aioli could’ve packed more punch, but the churros themselves were spot on.
The main event…
For mains, Nicola went for the Chicken Schnitzel while I had the steak with bone marrow, boulangère potatoes, and peppercorn sauce.
Nicola loved the schnitzel: it was cooked perfectly- crispy on the outside yet juicy on the inside with a slightly burnt edge to it, so so good. The dish itself looked stunning with all the bright colours which popped off the black plate. The romesco sauce base was a thin layer, but it added the right amount of flavour and moisture to the dish. The chicken was well seasoned and the portion was very generous.
The steak was juicy and generous, cooked how I asked (medium-rare, though edging slightly more on the rare side, but not a complaint). The peppercorn sauce was excellent, right level of aromatic and fiery, and the portion size left no room for stinginess. The potatoes, though rich and buttery, were a touch overwhelming flavour-wise for me, maybe because I was already teetering on full from the starters. We also shared a side of Provençal vegetables, which felt surprisingly summery for an autumn menu but were fresh, colourful, and full of flavour.
Room for dessert?
No, but obviously, we ordered one to share (Nicola can never say no to dessert). On our waiter’s recommendation, we went for the Chocolate & Confit Orange Trifle with yoghurt chantilly. The orange mousse layer tasted more lemony than orange, but it was zesty, bright, and super refreshing.
The chocolate element didn’t quite feel like it belonged, but it was still a lighter way to end the meal. Plus, the presentation, served in a cocktail glass, felt chic and shareable.
The whole vibe at The Store and Treadwell is gorgeous.
The entrance to the hotel always makes an impression, all sleek design and subtle luxury, and the lounge area with the fireplace and sofas is pure comfort. The charm of the rooftop bar really stuck with Nicola, and the creativity of the cocktail menu was great to see. Would love to come back for a night, slip into a fluffy robe, and see if the spa is as dreamy as the décor.
Treadwell at The Store
31 Cornmarket St, Oxford OX1 3AG
Bitten were invited as guests, all views are our own
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