Didcot and Headington's McDonald's have introduced table service after a successful UK trial. Yes you heard that right.
Table service is the newest feature to improve and create a more exciting experience for local customers.
Technology is at the heart of the changes with digital self-order kiosks and interactive tablets for customers to enjoy while they dine as well as redesigned kitchens to freshly prepare customers food to order. The addition of table service now also allows customers the choice when ordering from the digital kiosks to have their food delivered direct to their table.
Customers can browse the entire menu and check out the nutritional information of each meal at the same time. Once customers have completed their order, they pay swiftly by card or contactless, and then go straight to a designated area of the counter to pick up their order, or take a seat for table service.
Paul Pomroy, CEO, McDonald’s UK, said: "We’ve listened to customer feedback and know we need to modernise further in order to move the McDonald’s experience on. Our converted restaurants like Didcot and Headington will deliver a fast and easy experience, aided by digital and traditional ordering points, ensuring we continue to be enjoyed.”
Review to follow next week.
COSMO, Oxford's brand new dining experience, opens on May 16, a little later than expected in the former sports shop site on Magdalen Street which will be reached by escalator. Boasting a mind-boggling 150 freshly cooked, authentic dishes, from around the globe from its live cooking station, it aims to provide a culinary theatre of tastes, aromas and sounds.
With a high-end casual buffet style, it offers a tantalising array of international cuisine at a single set price, thus appealing to everyone with a sense of value-for-money and adventurous tastes.
COSMO is currently offering diners the chance to *'Rip Your Bill in Half' (* Terms and Conditions - drinks not included, can not be used in conjunction with another discount / promotion – available Mon – Thursday lunchtimes and Sunday to Thursday dinnertimes, must fill in promotional leaflet onsite) when diners really WILL have to physically rip their bills in two if they want to eat for half price.
So if it's Italian, Asian, Traditional English, Spanish, French, Indian, Japanese, Greek, American or Mexican you fancy, COSMO is your one-stop tasting feast around the world.
Magdalen St, Oxford OX1 3AD (Situated between Tesco & Sainbury's) | 01865 297575 oxford@cosmo-restaurants.co.uk
The ambitious renovation and refurbishment of the acclaimed Bull Inn in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, has been completed, just months after the 17th century, Grade II -listed pub nearly closed for good.
The inn was bought by new owner Charles Crossley for £1.025m last October after the previous owners’ attempts to turn it into a residential property failed.
Following months of hard work, the inn is now ready to reassert its reputation as one of Oxfordshire’s finest pubs thanks to a newly refurbished restaurant and bar area and eight revamped guest rooms.
The purchase and renovation has seen the bar and entrance moved to a more central location while the whole pub has been rejuvenated with open fires and comfy seating to make it feel more like a home than a pub.
Charles Crossley said: “Over recent years the Inn had come to be seen as something of a ‘sleeping giant’. It had huge potential so we were somewhat relieved when the plans to turn it into a house were rejected. We’re looking forward to re-establishing it right back into the heart of the community.”
There has been a change at the Story Museum’s café. After 18 months of being the chef there, the lovely Sophie Grigson has moved on to the Isis Farmhouse and very much enjoying the new opportunity. The museum café is now run by local chef Lubo Pavelka who until recently was running the Barefoot Books café in Summertown. Lubo’s new seasonal menu has been very well received by Museum visitors and casual visitors.
Oxford-based John Cavers and his sister Ashley, from Combe, near Witney, came up with the idea for Wonky Fruit after becoming frustrated with the level of food waste in the UK, which sees about 40% of perfectly edible fresh fruit and veg never even reach the shop shelf. Along with professional caterer and Combe neighbour, Laura Snook, they have created a range of chutneys, relishes and jams that use unwanted fruit and veg that might otherwise fall out of the food chain. www.wonkyfruit.co.uk
Loch Fyne Seafood & Grill in Jericho has unveiled its biggest menu change in its 25-year history in a bid to make top quality seafood and shellfish more accessible to everyone.
The new summer menu, launched next week, is a major shake-up of the restaurant’s previous offerings. A new ‘in a roll’ section boasts a mouth-watering crab and lobster burger with cocktail sauce (£16.95), a crispy prawn roll with mayonnaise (£9.95) and a fish finger BLT with tartare sauce (£9.95).
‘Mussel Madness’ on Tuesdays offers unlimited mussels and a drink for £15, with a choice of nine different flavours of mussels including Thai red curry, mussel mac ‘n’ cheese and korma mussels. On ‘Fish and Fizz’ Fridays, guests can grab a voucher from the Loch Fyne Facebook page and get fish and chips for two and a bottle of Prosecco for £25. www.lochfyneseafoodandgrill.co.uk/locations/oxford
The Fishes has erected its Tipi and made some fantastic new additions all ready for the summer – mainly a brand new Peroni Rocket bar - a fully fitted airstream bar with Peroni taps, speakers, lighting, fridges, and a happy bartender to pour you a perfect pint.
Another new addition is a fully fitted garden kitchen which allows Mark and his team to give a great experience for large groups, and very busy gardens alike!
Last but not least, are the new fire pits from Cornwall, and wireless Sonos speaker system for the Tipi.
01865 249796
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