Harden's survey result
Summary
The “quality” of the food is exceptional (“soufflés are a must!”) at Mike & Imogen North’s “pleasant” and “understated”, fifteenth-century thatched pub in rural Oxfordshire (which is still a proper pub, despite its vaunted culinary reputation). “The accessible tasting menu sensibly draws from the main menu, offering a genuine tasting experience, with solidly conceived and well-balanced flavours in each dish”.
Summary
Local boy Michael North and his wife Imogen’s “cosy thatched pub” has made a real name for itself in the past dozen years for its “consistently great food for a reasonable price”. Still a real pub, serving the house Nut Tree ale, it serves everything from bar snacks to a “fantastic tasting menu paired with exciting wine choices” – while “a candlelit dinner by the open fire makes for romance”. Set in a small village, it’s hardly remote: the M40 – and Bicester shopping village – are just a few minutes away by car.
Summary
“Michael North’s innovative cooking goes from strength to strength, while Imogen Young delivers the most calming front of house experience” at this thatched village pub, near Bicester (“a great stop-off if you are heading up the M40” and “well worth seeking out”). The result is a “relaxed yet elegant meal in beautiful Oxfordshire countryside”, with “a highly recommended tasting menu for a special occasion” but where “you can still enjoy a pint at the bar with the locals”. “They use lots of their own fantastic produce which is always a good sign” too, and there’ a “well chosen wine list”. Top Menu Tip – “exquisite soufflés”.
Summary
“Michael North and Imogen Young set a very high bar indeed for how to balance running an exemplary village pub with stunning food”, at this rural thatched pub (about 10 minutes’ drive from Bicester Shopping Village), which has “a superb focus on local produce, much of which is grown or reared on site (including ‘pick-your-own’ rare breed pigs)”. Top Menu Tip – “they have a Michelin star, but their legendary soufflés are worth three stars!”
Restaurant details
The Nut Tree Inn Restaurant Diner Reviews
"There's a lot many establishments could learn from the cooking and operation here. The tasting menu is accessible and sensibly draws from the main menu, offering a genuine tasting experience, rather than showing off with specially contrived small plates. The solidly conceived and well balanced flavours in each dish point out the fine cooking. Only an unremarkable salad course failed to impress but even that was nothing to complain about. A delight to eat in with attentive staff and wonderful understated charm."
"Michelin starred pub excellent for Sunday lunch or an evening meal. Better than average for a country pub"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Main Street, Murcott, OX5 2RE
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑6 pm |
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