Café 1071

This funky modernist café next to Oxford Prison museum encouraged great expectations. However, despite not being overly-busy they had run out of jacket potatoes (one of their minimalist menu staples) by 12.45pm on Saturday, along with their supply of till change. There was a meagre and somewhat limp salad garnish that had evidently passed its 'salad days' with my panini alternative, and no butter, salt, pepper or serviettes (or even a bin for rubbish under the self-service condiment table).

The staff were slow, seemed unsure of how to operate their equipment and gave the distinct impression of not wanting to be there at all  Not a friendly, customer-caring café experience I'll be in a hurry to repeat, and certainly not a café anyone would seek out unless waiting for their Prison tour to begin.

The Poet Laura-eate (DI User), 02/06/08

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This newly opened café punches well above its size to serve traditional three course meals cooked from local produce in addition to robust light bites. Highlights on Alison's menu include cauliflower soup, venison sausage, locally cured bacon and wedges of moist fruit-laden apple cake. Popular sandwich fillings include blue cheese with walnuts, smoked salmon with cream cheese and chicken with stuffing. The friendly staff are eager to prepare whatever suits your taste buds from the fresh ingredients. A simple cheese toastie taken with a quality black coffee, mineral water and a chunk of rich chocolate fridge cake brings the bill to £7. The welcoming table décor, such as pumpkins and Christmas tinsel, of this modern, compact café changes with the seasons, as does the menu. In the Winter months let Café FOOD reward a climb up the adjoining Norman Motte with a creamy hot chocolate in a large chunky mug. In the Summer months enjoy a cool fruit juice al fresco in the forecourt overlooking the old Oxford Prison 'D wing' and Saxon Tower. With some of the forthcoming celebrations of 'Oxfordshire 2007' looking set to take place in the forecourt, Café FOOD offers diners a front row seat!

Lita Doolan (DI Reviewer), 03/01/07

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I went here for lunch with a friend and was impressed by the quality of the food and the choice. It is in a lovely setting and definitely a more upmarket sandwich bar compared to others in Oxford, but very reasonably priced I thought. I would definitely come back here - nice and tucked away as well!

PingPong (Unverified), 06/12/06

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The sandwiches are not as large as those from some venues in Oxford, but they're tasty in a healthy way. The houmous and roasted vegetable sandwich is a good combination - the vegetables aren't drowned in balsamic vinegar (a common deli mistake) and so they actually taste of something! The tuna option was rather prosaic though. We tried tiffin cake - raisin & chocolate - and found it much better than average, tasting of genuine chocolate rather than the "cooking" variety. The carrot cake was less inspiring: a bit stodgy, with the emphasis on the cake instead of on the carrot.

It's the kind of food you might make for yourself at home if you had lots of time and enjoyed cooking. Not bad, and a good option if you're feeling a bit delicate, but not a particularly decadent food experience.

LovePuppet (DI User), 15/11/06

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Had a Really nice Bap with Roast Chicken and homemade mayonnaise! Not expenxive either!

Jeanine (Unverified), 10/11/06

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