Macky's tasty nuggets of foodie news from around Oxfordshire

  • Popped into the new-look Oxford Wine Cafe, formerly the Summertown Wine Cafe, last week and it’s different but the same. Less French and relaxed, maybe, less squashy sofas, more contemporary, but still serving some fabulous wine in a great atmosphere, and being open all day making it the perfect spontaneous pop-in spot.

Food-wise it’s much better, serving a small but satisfying menu with a pâté of the day served with tomato chutney and a selection of fresh bread, a salad of the day, cheese fondue, paninis (lunch time only), sharing boards (meat, cheese or seafood), the mysterious sounding ‘pie on a plate’ and moules on Fridays. Go to oxfordwinecafe.co.uk/food/ for more details.

  • Claire & Jim Alexander, owners of The Killingworth Castle in Wootton, near Woodstock, have fulfilled a lifelong ambition of brewing their own beer – Yubby Bitter.

Named after Ebrington’s old village name, “Yubberton”, and the long-standing nickname for The Ebrington Arms, “The Yubby”, which they also own, Yubby Bitter is available at both.

Jim had a clear idea of how the beer should taste – somewhere between his favourite pint, London Pride, and Flowers – so the pair decided on British malts and hops as the ideal formula. The result is a copper ale with floral nose and bitter finish (3.8% abv), brewed at the North Cotswold Brewery. Future plans could see the pair creating their own brewery at The Killingworth Castle, so watch this space.

  • Starting with an aperitif and canapés, head chef Matt Weedon will be preparing an amazing seven-course tasting menu at Fallowfields, Kingston Bagpuize, to be accompanied by Journey’s End wines specially selected to match each course. Rollo Gabb, managing director of Journey’s End, will be introducing each wine and answering any questions about South African wines.

The evening, on Thursday, August 15, at 6.30pm will be a great opportunity to meet Rollo and socialise with like-minded people, who enjoy great wine and fantastic food. Priced £80 per person, to book your place, call Michelle on 01865 820416 or email stay@fallowfields.com

  • Popular Italian restaurant Strada, in New Clarendon Street, has changed its menu due to a customer survey. Piloted at 19 restaurants, the changes include a completely new style of pizza, new starters and a wave of easy-going, Italian dishes across the pastas, salads and summertime desserts.

From mushroom and walnut pesto, drizzled with lemon juice, and shredded chicken with smoky paprika and tomato marscapone, to superbly spicy ‘Nduja sausage, guests are sure to enjoy the meat-lover’s and vegetarian-friendly pizzas being fired-up. There is also a fun starter selection of funghi al forno, (sliced mushrooms, walnut pesto, baby onions, charred baby tomatoes and a drizzle of lemon juice, served on grilled focaccia), salads, panzanella – a zingy mix of baby tomatoes, capers, cucumber, red onion, basil, parsley and crisp focaccia pieces – and, for mains, polpette meatballs, topped with smoky paprika and tomato marscapone. Let us know what you think. See strada.co.uk

  • If you like Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, then this is the cookbook for you. Inspired by Anissa Helou’s childhood memories, Levant is a collection of 150 mouth-watering recipes. It costs £20.