Well Meg and Harry brought us to this place for a celebratory glass of wine when we got engaged last year. So on a Bank Holiday Monday, with all our spring cleaning jobs done and a long stroll in the fresh air conquered we decided to pop through to Northleach for another visit.
The Ox House is a wine bar, with a classic French Bistro theme running throughout. In fact as soon as you step through the back doors to the court yard you could be anywhere from Italy to Southern France. However, all the while very much remembering that you are in beautiful Northleach, another pretty Cotswold market town.
The exposed beams are lit up with thousands of fairy lights and there are plenty of tables to sit amongst the shelves of wine or by the log burner on a cooler day. Alternatively there are two long window seats facing onto Northleach Market Square. The bar itself is made out of old wine cases and there are French posters, paintings and chalkboard signs creating an eclectic but cosy vibe. The perfect setting for long nights with friends and a good bottle of plonk.
The bar is fully stocked with a great selection of wine which you can buy to take away or drink in by the bottle or glass (prices starting from £7.95 for a delicious bottle of Roc D'or Chardony). I would guess however, that once you step through the doors, taking away will no longer be an option to you...it's just to inviting to want to leave. So like us, stay in and treat yourself to a glass of wine or a Kir Royle. Alternatively a Grande Crème from the super sized coffee machine or a selection of spirits and soft drinks might be more up your street. Whatever you go for sit back, relax and seep in the French vibes.
We sat in the sunshine drinking chardony and a rose blush chatting about when we could own and run something like The Ox House. One day! We had a light lunch off the simple home cooked menu, both going for the Black Lamb Curry which came with crusty warm bread. No rice needed, this was spot on! The wine was perfect, the atmosphere was chilled and holiday like, the food scrummy...the only thing I would have changed? The wine glasses. I think in a wine bar, a nicer wine glass would have felt more apt to really make the most out of visiting for the wine, but then again I am obsessed with drinking out of champagne saucers and vintage crystal glasses so I think I am being picky.
We noticed we had missed Jazz on Saturday night, playing in their fully equip bar/barn also found in the courtyard. We will be sure to look out for the next night of live music as it seems the perfect spot for wasting the night away with a glass of good Sauvignon... or three.
Millie and Meg x
Please note The Ox House does not have a website. Get in touch with them by phone to find out about their next music nights or pop in and say hi!
The Ox House Northleach, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 3EG
01451 860650
Alternatively if you are a tweeter, follow them @theoxhouse for latest updates and events.
No comments:
Post a Comment