One of the best fine dining restaurants in Oxfordshire

Our ambition is to be recognised as one of the best fine dining restaurants in Oxfordshire. From the beginning of March 2013 our kitchen will be run by former Michelin starred Head Chef Matt Weedon. The Sunday Times 2012 top 100 restaurants list, placed him as number 45 in the Country.

Wherever Matt has cooked, he has attracted accolades. Both by the AA and by Michelin. However, he is a believer that often such accolades are used to justify high prices. This is not our philosophy. Our aim is to give you a formidable dining experience whilst not breaking the bank.

So to Matt’s track record. He first gained a Michelin star at Glenapp Castle. Then again at Lords of the Manor. Altogether he has held a star for a total of 6 years. It has been said of Matt that he is one of the top 100 chefs in the Country. Matt is an engaging, soft spoken and passionate chef. When asked whether he would like his name above the door of our restaurant he said “I would rather let my food do the talking”. When you come to Fallowfields, we hope you will meet him. Probably out in the kitchen garden or on the farm.

One critic said of his cooking “culinary joy on a plate”.

Great food is not about accolades, it is about consistently producing fabulous food from the best ingredients. These should be sourced locally if possible. However quality should not be sacrificed for locality.

Whilst Matt takes care of the kitchen, his wife Rachel will run the restaurant. Rachel brings her experience as Restaurant Manger for some of Britain’s top Country House Hotels. Passionate about this industry, Rachel has worked with the best. Hambleton Hall: Blantyre: L’ortolan: The Waterside Inn: Glennapp Castle and Lords of the Manor.

Fallowfields has produced good food for many years. Then we opened our fine dining restaurant in October 2011. The AA awarded us 2 AA Rosettes on a their first visit the following month. It was Shaun Dickens who launched us into fine dining. Many have enjoyed his food. We wish him well.

Our unique is that we grow and rear a lot of our own produce. Our farm, orchards and kitchen gardens are dedicated to quality produce for the table.

Of all the restaurants in Oxfordshire……

….We have been passionate about using the freshest produce for over 20 years. Ever since the days when Peta [the co-owner] cooked in the kitchen on an Aga.  Some of our regulars today recall those days too. Now, our chef is proud to carry on this tradition today. [No longer cooking on an AGA though!]

Seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown in the hotel’s kitchen gardens and orchards. Whenever possible meat and poultry is sourced from our own farm. Then we look at other local Oxfordshire producers. Finally we source “out of County” as a last resort. There are very few restaurants in Oxfordshire which bake their own bread daily.

Facing south, the restaurant overlooks the hotel’s croquet lawn and paddocks beyond. A perfect ambience at any time of day to enjoy a relaxing, unhurried breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.

We are one of the few fine dining restaurants in Oxfordshire to open 7 days a week.

Open for non-residents 7 days a week, for breakfast, lunch, superb afternoon teas and dinner. You will always receive a genuine warm welcome from our lovely staff.

Of course meals can be taken out on our terrace. And talking of relaxing. One eats out to relax. We suggest a smart-casual dress code. Smart jeans are fine although we request no ripped jeans or sportswear.

Here is our quintessentially British menu:- (click to view our menus), and if you would like to look photographs of our food, our farm and much much more, please look at our Pinterest board entitled “food inspirations”

Do take the opportunity of eating in one of the finest restaurants in Oxfordshire.