The Perch: closed for repairs
Restaurant & Drinking Establishment
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Popular 13th c. riverside-ish pub with a French twist (as of 2006). Large garden; accessible from Port Meadow as well as by road from west Oxford; very popular in summer. Wheelchair accessibility set to improve over the next few years as planning permission is granted. Non-smoking throughout. |
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Binsey Lane Ads by Daily Info:
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I went to the Perch last week to see if it was open again but they're still repairing the roof. It looks nearing completion now.
littlepinkladybird, 15/05/08 Just in case people don't know... the Perch burnt down a couple of weeks ago. No use trying to go there now... tekka, 27/05/07 Really wonderful place to eat drink and enjoy, with friends. Such a contrast. Once one went into the garden to eat to escape the awful dingy ambience, but all changed for the better. The fire was a disaster historically, and gastronomically for Binsey. Just hope that the insurance settlement will mean that the charming French owner will start again, and soon. margs, 26/05/07 I went to the Perch for the fourth or fifth time recently for my Birthday and found it as usual very nice: the food was very tasty and the young lady who tended to us was very efficient. It is always nice to contribute to the local economy and a large portion of the menu hasn't travelled very far. The venue has got better and better everytime I visit and is now the finished article. Keep up the good work!! Adam M, 24/04/07 First visit under new management and what an improvement - very tasteful interior, warm atmosphere, friendly staff, beautiful garden, great french music (!! - ed) and delicious food. We will definitely be going again! hannah, 23/04/07 A group of us went to the Perch for dinner and found it to be one of the worst, and most overpriced, places around. Meals certainly were not of Michelin star level - they were so dreadful I wouldn't even serve them to friends were they to dine at my home. The service was even worse than the food! If you like paying for overpriced food and appalling service, this is the place to go. if not, go elsewhere. JLLH, 08/04/07 I was introduced to The Perch by a friend as a place to meet for a meal and I was astounded. To find this level of quality and price in a genuinely rural setting this close to Oxford was completely unexpected. The French/English restaurant with locally supplied produce (you will probably travel further than the food does to get to the table) is excellent. Recommended without hesitation as one of the best places to eat or drink in Oxford. Richard, 03/04/07 I've been to the Perch two or three times since September when it changed hands. It has improved with each visit and is now one of the best (if not the best) place to eat in Oxford. The landlord has transformed the place from a dingy dark pub in to a characterful and tasteful venue with a wonderful, intimate atmosphere. When so many places are becoming increasingly corporate it is a real joy to see somewhere become a special place under independent management. G-bit, 16/03/07 In addition to the extraordinary setting, the Perch offers great food (nearly Michelin-star level), a charming and welcoming ambience, friendly and attentive staff. Truly a must if you wish to spend about £20 - £25 each. UP, 04/02/07 I'm a bit confused by the mixed reviews on this page. I've been to the Perch four or five times since the new owners have been in charge, eaten there twice, and it's always been fantastic. The food is excellent, the service extremely attentive, friendly and personal, and the attention to detail that the management is clearly putting in to everything from decoration to the range of drinks to events is truly impressive. I guess the complaints of bad service will have to be put down to teething problems from taking over the business in september, but as I say I've only had great experiences at this pub. Also, there's a back room (which you can eat in) where they're running exhibitions of photography from a different country each month. Highly recommended. Julia, 27/01/07 Absolutely super place, one of if not THE best in Oxford. Food, drink, service - fantastic. Try it! Chrissie, 26/01/07 Went to The Perch recently and had an absolutely gorgeous meal, really friendly service by the owner Johnny and loved everything about the place really! Nice French music in the background, crackling fire and big plush Victorian leather sofas. Quality. Eucam4, 17/01/07 Three friends and I visited the Perch last Friday lunchtime. Never again! I'd previously telephoned to check they did sandwiches at lunchtime which they assured me 'would not be a problem'. It clearly was. On arrival at 1.45 the barman looked at his watch - nice welcome - I asked if we were too late and sincerely wish now we had been! We were offered 'sandwich of the day' which was BLT (nothing else on offer), and there seemed to be some difficulty with our apparently unreasonable request to have cheese in place of the bacon. After checking with the kitchen (or maybe he just walked off to do something more interesting) the barman graciously said it would be possible. We then tried to order drinks at the bar but were told we couldn't order there, but had to sit at a table. 10 minutes later I had to almost trip up the one passing (and surprised) waiter to order drinks. They took another 10 minutes to arrive. 'Our' sandwiches arrived about 20 minutes later but were given to the people opposite who, although surprised at the contents, hungrily began to eat them before the waiters removed them, mid-chomp. They looked as fed up as us! We finally got our sandwiches (with unwanted chips and salad) nearly an hour after arrival, by which time we had long finished our drinks. There appeared to be only two staff attending - an unwelcoming, sour-faced barman and a charming but hapless waiter - both of whom clearly need rockets up certain parts of their anatomy. To add insult to injury, when we paid cash to the waiter (£40 for a £33 bill), he asked us if we would like change! I would never ever go there again, not even for a drink! Sandy, 06/11/06 We visited the Perch couple of years back and it had been in a sad state. Went there this evening (on a recommendation) and found it transformed. French restaurant (with French/African music in the background). Food and service excellent. We started with grilled goat's cheese with salad leaves and local honey. I had Boeuf Bourginion to follow, which came with potato cake and fresh baby carrots; excellent. My wife had moules which she was similarly very pleased with. The French staff were friendly and attentive, they explained they had been in business for around eight weeks, having taken over and cleaned up the operation. We had a 50cl pitcher of wine and I asked for (and they happily provided) a free jug of tap water with ice and lemon. Total bill around £40 before service. I'd recommend highly. It wasn't busy on the Friday night, though they reported they can be booked out over the weekends. So high praise, though it was a bit cool in the restaurant as it's at the other end of the room from the fire (it was sub-zero outside). You might take a jumper. Mark, 03/11/06 I recently went to the Perch for food and drinks and it was fantastic! The place looks so much better with the garden and the interior redecorated. I loved the atmosphere - the staff were very friendly and attentive and the food was great. We were very impressed with the overall experience and we will definitely go back. I'm so glad the Perch has finally been re-vamped from its neglected state and wish the new owners the best of luck. Suzanne C, 23/09/06 A 40 minute queue for drinks this Sunday... these people do not have a clue how to run a pub. Either they should turn it into a restaurant with table service, or they should leave. They gave up on serving anyone at 4pm this Sunday. Feeble. Oxford Stone, 11/09/06 Myself and two friends went to The Perch for Sunday Lunch. WE WILL NEVER EAT OR DRINK THERE AGAIN. It was the WORST Sunday lunch experience of our lives. I had to queue for 25 minutes to get my food and drink order placed. The staff seemed totally oblivious to the fact that there were long queues for both food and drink orders. In fact, there seemed to be no sense of urgency in anything they did. When I finally did get to place my order, I was told by the head waiter, that he, "...couldn't wait for winter when it's indoor tables only, and it's all reservations. What am I supposed to do when 150 people suddenly turn up and want feeding?" Hmmm... well given that you're in a SERVICE industry, how about serving us? How about rising to meet the challenge, and thus grow the business, instead of pissing people off, and running the business into the ground, because you'd rather potter about moving cutlery, instead of taking food orders, and delivering meals to tables? Our food then took AN HOUR to reach our table, and even then, they got some of it wrong. The quality of the food was adequate, although the menu was VERY limited. Surely, you would think, the whole point of doing a limited menu is so that you can produce the stuff en massse, and quickly? Apparently not, for the clowns running The Perch. At no point did anyone from The Perch offer any form of compensation in the form of full or partial refund, or even complimentary drinks. Spoken apologies were scant and frankly, I didn't believe for a second that any of the staff were remotely sorry for the abysmal service. In summary, the building and location were great, the food was adequate in quality, nothing special, and the choices were far too limited. But the service, was just about the WORST SERVICE I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. MaxT, 10/09/06 The Perch is in an amazing spot and it has been tidied up with some new decor, great outdoor umbrellas, and tidy bar inside. There is a slight problem with some of the prices....two slices of posh bread, a teaspoon of jam and some hard cheese = £5.00. The prices are not right! But the garden and pub look fab. country pub lover, 28/08/06 The Perch has just been taken over by new management - again - and they have spruced it up no end! Moved the bar to give lots more space, newly decorated keeping the rustic feel with a French twist. The sad, neglected garden has been tidied up at last and has a new decking area. It's looking good. Just hope they can stop ignorant dog owners taking their pooches into the kids' play area!! Didn't try the food, kitchen not fully operational til Sept. I wish them all the best. wine girl, 17/08/06 Me and my sister queued for 30 minutes just to by one drink. If you thought the Trout was bad for queueing do not come here. But on the plus side the staff are very friendly. need booze, 06/07/06 Not too bad, although it would be nice if they put some heating on!! Boozy girl, 08/05/06 I have just made my first return visit to The Perch,after ten years.it does not look like it has been cleaned or redecorated in that time, most disappointing. 12/04/06
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