* The Restaurant at the Macdonald Randolph Hotel in Oxford has been honoured with a third AA Rosette for its outstanding cuisine, intuitive service and excellent wine list.

After receiving its second AA Rosette in 2006 and recently celebrating being named AA Hotel Group of the Year 2013/2014 as part of Macdonald Hotel & Resorts, Macdonald Randolph Hotel now joins the 10 per cent of restaurants and hotels in the AA Restaurant Guide that have been awarded three or more Rosettes.

* Modern Art Oxford has unveiled a newly-redesigned café, pictured, influenced by the industrial roots of the gallery’s historic building on Pembroke Street.

As the building originally housed the Hanley Brewery, the architects have incorporated the use of new materials into a design that reflects the building’s unique character and history.

The opening of the new café coincides with the launch of a new exhibition by British artist, Stuart Brisley – State of Denmark – one of the most important and enduring voices in international contemporary art and to celebrate the café opening, Modern Art Oxford and A&J Cooks are offering a a free hot drink with lunch orders. Visitors can quote #redesign to take up this offer until October 1.

* The Fishes Irish Night kicks off tomorrow in North Hinksey to celebrate Chris Andrews’ 45th book Belfast, a View of the City.

Chris will exhibit his photos of the great city around the bar accompanied by the Celtones playing Irish music through the night. Add to this some Guinness cocktails and Irish stew and you’ve got all the ingredients for a great night out.

Menu Tasting Tuesday follows on September 30 when Head Chef Mat Rouvray will be cooking up a range of seasonal delights from the autumn menu at a cost of £35 per person, including wine from 7.30pm.

Call 01865 249796 or see fishesoxford.co.uk

* The Kings Head Inn in Chipping Norton has won a Nicely Priced award in the first Sawday’s British Hotel Awards.

The entry in the awards guide said: “The sort of inn that defines this country: a 16th-century cider house made of ancient stone that sits on the green in a Cotswold village with free-range hens strutting their stuff and a family of ducks bathing in the pond.

“Inside, locals gather to chew the cud, scoff great food and wash it down with a cleansing ale.”

See sawdays.co.uk/BritishHotelAwards

* Staff at the New Theatre Oxford are getting their bake on ready to take part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday.

Members of the public are invited to drop in to the theatre’s Ambassador Lounge between noon and 2pm to make a donation to tuck in to tea, coffee and a piece of cake and help to raise money for this very deserving cause.

* The Crown in Woodstock’s opening date has been pushed back to October with builders working around the clock to get it finished in time.

The bedooms will be opened at a later date, but with paint drying in the restaurant’s interior and bar and the menus being printed, it should be opening any day now.

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