A pub famous for finding musical talent is taking on the city’s gastro greats. Emma Adams visits the Jericho Tavern’s to find out more KNOWN mainly as a live music venue – the birthplace of Supergrass and Radiohead no less – and a good place for a pint before going to the Phoenix Cinema, the Jericho Tavern has come over all foodie.

New manager Owen McCole may have only been in charge a couple of months, but aims to put the Walton Street tavern firmly on Oxford’s gastro map.

Four of us rocked up on a Friday night after a cheeky cocktail or two at Freud’s over the road, feeling ravenous and up for tasting the new autumn menu.

The Georgian pub has a great atmosphere, complete with dark panelling, mellow red brick, and stripped wooden floors and was already heaving when we arrived.

The drinks menu may have resembled an encyclopaedia, but what a choice, with everything from English potato vodka to Belgian fruit beer. We settled for wine in the end.

The a la carte menu uses fresh, seasonal ingredients where possible and changes daily.

There is also a good value prixe fixe menu.

From a good range of six starters and 13 mains, we selected the smoked salmon, beetroot and creme fraiche with toasted rye bread (£5.25), Paris brown and oyster mushroom, roasted onion and spinach tart with Hollandaise (£5.75) and the potted beef with horseradish and chive creme fraiche (£5.50). The smoked salmon was good quality and the shortcrust pastry in the mushroom tart was spot-on.

For the main course, our vegetarian came over all Gromit and went for the Wensleydale tart with asparagus, mushrooms and peas with a beetroot and potato salad (£9), which won approval.

I had a very generous portion of smoked haddock on bubble and squeak with white wine sauce, topped with a poached egg (£10.25). The other two went for gastro favourite confit duck leg, but with the intriguing addition of cinnamon roasted squash and plums (£13), and the tender Cotswold lamb leg steak with red lentils, chilli and peppers (£12). The food was excellent. And we’re not usually easily pleased!

We still managed to fit in the sloe gin Eton mess (£5), which was to die for. And although the place was heaving by the time we left, the staff were attentive all night.

So, pub or gastro pub? It’s the best of both.