A PUB in Oxford combining traditional values with haute cuisine is competing for a place in the TripAdvisor top 10.

The Old Bookbinders Ale House in Jericho looks like a typical old-fashioned hostelry.

Oxford Mail:

But pub staff in Victor Street are experts at serving food as well as beer, thanks to landlord Michel Sadones and his son Josh Mullett-Sadones.

READ AGAIN: Restaurants in Oxford battle it out for #1 on TripAdvisor

Last week it emerged that American-style diner Glut in George Street has been battling it out with Cowley Road Turkish restaurant Antep Kitchen for the number one spot on reviews site TripAdvisor.

Oxford Mail:

Restaurants and pubs just outside the top 10 are hopeful positive reviews will push them back up the list.

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The Old Bookbinders’ operations manager Annie Cutting said: “We have been number one on Oxford’s TripAdvisor before and of course we would love to be back there again.

Oxford Mail:

“Our customers like what we do - it’s a pub for the locals and visitors and tourists come here for the food.

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“Michel is an experienced chef and has a very good reputation.

“I grew up in East Sussex running village pubs and I came here about five years ago - as soon as I got here I liked the atmosphere - the locals have their own glasses behind the bar and the food is fantastic.”

Oxford Mail:

Ms Cutting, 28, said one of the current favourites on the menu was Le Benicàssim, a gourmet burger, with bacon, cheddar and a fried egg, served with fries and salad (12.50).

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The manager’s own favourite dish is Crevettes á L’Espagnol (£9.50) - spicy king prawns served with garlic and olive oil.

The Menu du Jour costs £11.50 for two courses and £14.50 for three courses.

Oxford Mail:

Crepes are also popular and there is an extensive selection including La Chinoise (£9.50), shredded roast duck, Chinese-style, with cucumber and spring onions in a plum sauce with shredded vegetables, cashew nuts and toasted semame seeds.

French recipes dominate the dessert menus including La Normande - warm French apple tart with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce (£6.50), Crème Brulée with amaretto and apricots £6) and La Chocolatière, the chef’s chocolate mousse (£6).

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Mr Mullett-Sadones said: “It’s difficult to work out exactly how TripAdvisor works but we are getting lots of good reviews.”

Oxford Mail:

TripAdvisor is currently ranking 488 restaurants in Oxford - The Old Bookbinders is # 11 with a rating of 4.5 out of five.

JJ Hants who visited earlier this week said on TripAdvisor that the pub was ‘splendid, superb’.

He added: “This was a tad out the way but well worth the visit. Cracking beers and great menu with a French bias - Entrecôte Frites was excellent. Cooked to perfection.”