The Black Boy

oxfordian1

Right food, right time, right place! 4th January 2009

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The description of the Black Boy given on Trusted Places is plain wrong. It does not have Sky TV, and is not even really a pub any more.

It is much better than that. Headington has long needed a classy place to eat out and with this latest incarnation of the Black Boy, it finally has one - HOORAY!

Seated in historic Old Headington, a stone's throw from St Andrews Church, the exterior of the Black Boy is a little dowdy compared to its neighbours. Happily that's nothing a few potted plants and some bushes won't cure, and from here on in its good news all the way. Walk in through the doors into a cosy sofa/lounge area. Turn left and the decor really has a wow factor - bright and airy with lots of nice features to look at.

But its the food that is the star turn here. For a start its a lot less than at many foodie pubs, not to mention the legions of faceless dining factories out there (Q. "Have you eaten at a (fill in brand name here) before?" A. "Do you think I'd be here now if I had?".) What is more , for the money you get dishes that, whilst not so exotic as to terrify the great british diner, will certainly give you something to chew over. Potato soup with truffle oil made a nice change on a winters day, Smoked Haddock Fishcake with a herb salad and a lemon beurre blanc with tomato concasse and chives - was refreshing as a main course, and especially for £8.95. If you are going for all three courses it will probably cost between £15 and £20, but in truth one or 2 courses (c£8 to £12) would probably do most people. Yes, of course I had three!

Everyone in my group thoroughly enjoyed their food, and there was plenty to keep the veggies happy too. I just hope that this venture has not been started at exactly the wrong time. The food is almost too good to be believed at the prices and The Black Boy is frankly too good to be allowed to fail. If you live in Headington do yourself a favour and give this place a try. In a time of recession we all look for value for money. Hidden away in a corner of Headington you will find it.