Oscar's Wine Bar

Mikehyms

A bit of hype? 10th June 2009

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Reading through the reviews ... I wonder if some emanate from the marketing branch (OK too grand - those involved in the business). The place is OK but not as great as some reviews would have it. Food is cheapish in a pile em high kind of way. Quality is missing - and if you don't fancy a burger there is not much to choose. Everything feels mass frozen and fried up - but that makes it cheap(ish). Big Mac might be better these days (but not been there for a while).

bigB at 15/10/09

I haven't been to the new site yet but i find your comments on the menu unfair.i've never had a burger in Oscars .That hasn't stopped me from enjoying what seems to be very fresh food..there always seeed to be plenty of choice.The seafood mezze being one of my favourites.The website seems to indicate the same menu as before.It will be disapointing if your comments are correct.

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sofidofi20

New Oscars 25th March 2009

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After having been to the old oscars regualry, I was interested to see what the new one would be like and pleasantly surprised to find a place where the atmosphere was even better than in the original bar. I was there for drinks around 11pm, the vibe was electric and stayed so until late. As usual, the cocktails were lush.

cooljim09

New Oscars 11th March 2009

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I joined trusted places just to say what an improvement the ne Oscars is on the old one .It has the same vibe but more importantly all the seating areas are equally inviting.the old building had a certain charm but I hated upsairs and the area behind the bar.The courtyard was ok on a fine day but even with the heaters and covered awning iwas never a fan.Simply I enjoyed the main area and anything else was a compromise.With the new place I enjoy the whole layout.The one male toilet doesnt bother me as I go to eat some of the best food inYork . Must take issue with Mazphd.Ive been using Oscars for over 10 yrs and there is always plenty choice with wine and food strikes me as fresh not frozen. Oscars is just so much better.

oogywawa at 18/03/09

Are you the owner...

;o)

cooljim09 at 22/03/09

No-But I wish I was

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oogywawa

Oscar's has moved and is now open 12th February 2009

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Oscar's is now open in its new home on Swinegate next to Biltmore. Although reviews are probably best not based on the opening party / night there are always some useful pointers to what lays in store over the next few months.

The first thing to note is that it's a lot smaller. A central bar area as you enter, with the bar on the left and a small alcove to the right - and that's your lot. In times of austerity, they've made the budget go a long way and have made good use of the original oak flooring left by the Elim Church that previously occupied the building. The decision has been made to make the mood totally different from their sister bar next door and to this effect the furnishings are darker and more reserved. An intimate Wine Bar is the aim - for a discerning crowd who want a nice laid back vibe and good drinks. The opening hours have been extended also - until 1am which bodes well and a late night food menu from 10pm - midnight is another new feature.

The drinks menu is identical to the previous incarnation with a generous selection of draught beers, imported bottles, wines and premium spirits.

One aberration will come back to haunt Oscar's though - a single toilet in the Gents. I mean a SINGLE toilet - not even a urinal as well. On a busy night, guys will not want to queue for 10 minutes to have a "gypsies kiss" or anything more solid (!!) and there were the stirrings of discontent on the very first night.

The old place by the way is apparently going to be renamed Tosca's - clever...

mazphd at 17/02/09

One loo? Seriously, for men? Gee whizz that's not too clever.

Tosca's however IS genius.

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geep

Regular haunt 3rd January 2009

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Whenever we are in York, and I get my own way, we eat at Oscars. Good value, high end of reasonable, food. Excellent portions, good friendly staff, good gluggable wines. Very-very busy over lunch.

oogywawa

Oscar's is moving... 10th November 2008

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There's been a lot of legal goings on behind the scenes at Oscars and from what my well-placed sources tell me it all got a bit frayed around the edges.

Anyway - the owner of the property has decided he wants the place to himself as he's obviously decided it's a goldmine (not a halogen lightbulb if it's taken him this long) and has not renewed the lease / put the rent up to such an extent that it was not viable for Oscar's owners.

Oscar's is moving into the building that Biltmore occupies and both bars will sit side by side.

So - will Oscar's be the same... no I think not - it will still have the name but not the environment that made it so popular. There will be many arguably that would not want to wish the premises that will be renamed (that will be the former Oscars) "all the best", as the owners of Biltmore had built Oscars up from nothing to what it is now and in effect have been ousted.

All's fair in love and war? - you decide what is acceptable, but whatever happens from 1st Feb 2009 Oscars in Little Stonegate will be history...

mazphd at 10/11/08

oh such upheavel and controversary in such a small city.

I'll have to purchase a cocktail to recover

vinniemcl at 13/11/08

oogywawa maybe you should get all your facts correct before posting such a biased opinion. And i think you will find that the change over will happen on the 14th of feb.

oogywawa at 16/11/08

Nothing biased about this - facts are facts and I am aware of the Court Case before you think I'm uninformed. It'll be interesting to see what happens...

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cmmort

Not quite Academy Award winning! 2nd October 2008

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I do like Oscar's, but I don't love it. Like other reviewers have noted, Oscar's tends to be somewhere you will have first encountered on a work do, and for choice of food to satisfy a crowd it fits the bill nicely. Lots of burgers to choose from, some steaky/grilly dishes, a bit of mexican etc.

However, going there recently for a dinner a deux, it just didn't provide the experience we were after. Even early evening there was no seat to be had inside (many tables having been pushed together and reserved for aforementioned work parties), so we bravely plumped for the courtyard. It looks lovely, but it is early October now, so we were sceptical of our comfort levels - fortunately those patio heaters worked a treat!

My major bugbear with Oscar's is cost vs quality. Yes, you get A LOT of food for your money, but it's not great quality. My other half went for a burger and it was £9.50! Now to me the best place for burgers in York is Gourmet Burger Kitchen and they aren't that expensive there. We paid nearly six quid each for a large glass of Shiraz and it was really disappointing. After aimlessly scanning the menu for a while, I plumped for the Yorkshire Sausage Platter off the specials board - a relatively bargainous £6.95 and very tasty my mountain of sausages, chips and onion rings was too.

Service was ok - weren't waiting ages for food, but you have to go and place orders and pay at the bar and you can wait ages there. We were already running late and other half queued for about 20 minutes!

My tip would be to save Oscar's for rowdy group nights out, when your priorities are choice and a good atmosphere. For a romantic meal for two foodies, I'd head elsewhere to get better food and wine for your hard-earned pennies.

mazphd

think i've died (and gone to heaven?) by fried 25th August 2008

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Oscars wine bar has two sides to it. On the one hand a briliant 'hidden away ' gem of a bar, the main focus of which is the garden courtyard, which for those inevitable yorkshire showers has some blind style covers to safeguard customers, beverages and food alike.

From another perspective this is also the home of fried style food, the astronomic portion size of which are enough to kill, sorry i mean fill, any hungry belly. Fabulous if the fried style of pre-frozen chicken, burger, fish, potatoes, onion, tacos, nacho's and even cheese are you thing. From the, 'if it wasn't frozen before, then it ain't getting fried' cookery school the most popular option is the nachos, which come with or without chilli mince (zapped by the microwave and not fried this time) , lashings of pre-bought guacamole, mayo and salsa , and even more melted cheese. Judging by the popularity of this dish, the nachos represent York's number one hangover cure all. And very cheap too. You get a LOT of food for your £. Come hungry.

The downside to how popular this place is, is that its always hard to find a seat, nay less impossible for a 'crowd' of three or more to find a table. Also the service is slow, slow, slow. So maybe come feeling reasonably hungry, as you will be starving by the time your plates come out. One- at-a-time, and in the wrong order. But not to worry, as i mentioned there's always more than enough food to go round, when the rest of your order eventually turns up.

Feel for the staff too, as the kitchens are located upstairs, so there's a constant tooing and froing of staff up and down, up and down. I suspect tips don't come easy in this place.

So why only the three stars? Well despite its rapid fire, large portion food, and fabulous quirky wine bar location successes, this place lacks any decent wine. For a 'wine bar', there are only four options for white wine, and three for red. If you want something bubbly it better be under £36, and of Moet chandon variety. Anything more adventurous and i would channel your energies elsewhere.

So a good place for a 'busy vibed', huge portioned food leisurely afternoon. Nice crowd in the evening. And even better mulled wine in the winter time. If only they could get the drinks menu and service right...

Pobski99

This Wine Bar deserves an Oscar! 23rd August 2008

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This is such a great place to go for drinks and have a good time.The main times I have been is through places I have worked and for dining as a group of people it really is great.

There is plenty of choice and plenty of space both upstairs and downstairs and you can just chill out and relax and have a good time.One of the time I visited the meal and drinks were paid for as a reward through work for hitting high standards and it made the food and drink taste even sweeter.

This is a place I always like to visit for a casual drink and for a nice meal.

greendaysez

Oscar's Wine Bar-Eat,Drink and Be Merry! 22nd August 2008

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Wow, what a choice on the menu! Greek, Mexican, Burgers you name it!

Oscar's is tucked away just off one of the main shopping parades in York and is one of York's best unkept secrets! It is always busy in both it's indoor and outdoor (heated and covered) eating areas although I have seen reserved signs on tables so it is possible to book ahead.

The food is reasonably priced and the choice is plentiful. It's always hard to choose what to have and we always end up sharing!

The wine list and available drinks are good and also well priced. Desserts are to die for (if you have room!) and are generously portioned!