By far Witney’s hottest new opening, when we heard that Paul Piper and Jay Bartlett, previously of The Lamb in Crawley, were opening a restaurant on Corn Street (formerly Dirty Bro’s and The Edge), we knew we were in for a treat.
We used to frequent The Lamb embarrassingly often, but in recent years had drifted away and never quite found a local date-night destination to replace it, until now.
The Corn Room is serving up incredible cocktails, small plates, and mains, all delivered with unbeatable warmth. This is front-of-house hospitality at its best, Paul effortlessly gliding between bar and tables with real charm and ease.
We arrived just after 8pm on a Thursday and took the last table in the restaurant. The space is beautifully considered, candleabras flickering, carefully chosen upholstery, matching napkins. It’s dimly lit and perfectly set for a romantic evening.
To drink, we ordered a Livener Citrus Spritz (£8.95), a well-rounded, herbaceous non-alcoholic option (great to see something thoughtful beyond the usual soft drinks), alongside a glass of Merlot.
We opted for a selection of small plates to share, though both of us were very tempted by the fish of the day.
- Chargrilled squid, rocket & fennel, saffron aioli (£9.95)
- Crab mayonnaise with toasted brioche (£9.95)
- Chicken and chorizo skewer with chorizo aioli (£9.95)
- Fries and creamed hispi cabbage (£3.95 each)
The chargrilled squid was beautifully cooked, with a delicate smokiness that didn’t overpower. The crab mayonnaise was light yet peppery, with a subtle kick.
The standout, though, was the chicken and chorizo skewer, absolutely divine. It deserves a permanent spot on the main menu. Generous enough to hold its own as a main, it delivers tender chicken, rich, sticky chorizo, and a deeply flavourful chorizo mayo. Paired with salty fries, it’s an inspired combination.
Midway through the meal, we spontaneously did a little happy dance, one of those rare moments where you both stop and acknowledge how good something really is. Also slightly dangerous, given this is now on our doorstep.
We could easily have moved on to cocktails, and the dessert menu was very tempting, but it was a school night.
Portion-wise, the amount of food was perfect for two. Given the quality of ingredients, the atmosphere, and the level of service, it felt like good value.
The restaurant is also dog-friendly, which is rare for somewhere of this calibre, a big plus for us. They’re also serving breakfast and UE Coffee Tuesday to Saturday from 10am.
Bring on summer evenings sitting outside with a crisp glass of wine. Costa del Corn Street, here we come.
Leave a Reply