New management from Autumn 2008: Chris and Abi moved from The High Table on the High Street to run a gastropub. Jazz/blues night every other Thursday and Kids Kitchen (cookery school) every Sunday. For complete history of the pub click here! | |
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91 Old High St
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We went on Friday for a meal at The Black Boy. We didn't book (foolish retrospectively!), but only waited fifteen minutes and they managed to free up a table for us. Loved it, especially the lamb shank special - melt in the mouth lamb with gorgeous herb gnocchi. I've seen the review below, and that's what inspired me to place my own review. Can't fault it. Didn't feel rushed. Service lovely. The only complaint I have is that the portions are a little too big! Couldn't fit in pudding! We'll be back, but this time we will book!
24/08/10 Really not great. When I called to book for an anniversary I was told I could only have a table either early (6pm) or late (9pm). When we arrived at 8.50 we sat and had a drink in the bar but were then hurried to order as 'last orders for the kitchen was at 9.15'. The whole meal was rushed and frankly not great. Fish was smothered in a very salty oil, starters were poorly presented and very hurriedly served. The whole experience was a real disappointment. Very poor service and little attention. Not a very guest-focussed experience. I won't be going back. David N 18/08/10, 17/08/10 We waited to go until a Thursday because The Blues Hobos would be playing, alas live music is now only every other week, so we missed it, which was a disappointment. The food and services were as good as we remembered from our last visit (Nov '09), it's a shame the band aren't on every week but other than that I can continue to highly recommend this pub for outstanding value - this is truly an oasis in Oxford. For our next Thursday visit we'll check in advance to see if it's a live music week or not first! Zubair, 30/06/10 This has to be one of the most beautiful pub gardens in Oxford: Fountain, beautiful trees and all candle lit in the evening. Fab time had by all. We're back again this week! Anna, 24/05/10 It's late, just back from the BB on Thursday evening and had to post a review. The Blues Hobos were fantastic, the food was excellent, the service was spot on and we had a fabulous evening. Thank you for providing an oasis in Headington. The garden is a much underused treat (maybe a decent summer will pay back dividends for the effort the owners have put in - I remember it of old....this is entirely different. A wonderful space). We have caught The Blues Hobos before and they never fail to entertain, it's only every other Thursday so check but as live music goes in this kind of environment - superb. In summary you really should check this place out. FAB. Michael, 21/05/10 The Black Boy in its current guise is very good indeed. It is not in the most obvious location but is well worth walking the extra quarter mile off the beaten track to get to. I do have a couple of comments though - the garden for instance is a strange affair of white stone/gravel which is tidy and newly revamped but lacks atmosphere or real character. Another observation would be the drinks on offer - ok, so they do some good wines, a couple of bitters and Staropramen on tap but most of what else there is, is the same as what you'd find at your local mens' working club. I'm not asking for Belgian trappist lagers and infused vodkas but something a bit more than Fosters, Strongbow and Gordon's gin would be a start and would be more in keeping with the classy interior and light-up spirit shelves. Rant over - I don't mean to detract from what is the best pub in Headington (though it's geared towards food more really), so go give it a go. Joe B, 18/04/10 Oh dear! This was a disappointing visit. We ordered soup, which arrived piping hot and everything looked hopeful. Our bottle of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo then arrived rather cold, however, so we asked for it to be taken to somewhere to warm up. Our main courses arrived luke warm on cold plates; the side salad with the tiny burger consisted of two small bits of rocket, and the chips were also not the warmest. Our other main was a steak and kidney pie - again it could have been warmer, and was itself rather small. We fancied creme brulee and coffee but we fancied being warm at home more, so we left. This experience cost £40. crispy bunny, 17/03/10 After a few weeks of venturing elsewhere we returned on Thursday - The Blues Hobos were playing and that sealed the deal. We were not disappointed. The food was excellent, the atmosphere was exactly right and the Hobos were in fine form and entertained everyone with their superb blend of Jazz, Blues and American songbook standards...pitched at just the right level. That's what I really love about this place - you can eat great value food served with no fuss in a professional manner by attentive but not intrusive staff, you can talk and be heard and you can be entertained by great music (on Thursdays - their only music night - I wish there were more!). Book & enjoy. But beware - you can't always get a table! Definitely one to put on your list in Oxford. Simon, 15/03/10 Headed there last night. Fantastic food and really loved it. Shame about the comment below, but don't take it to heart chaps, try it. It is really, really good. Sounds as though they missed it that time, but I've never experienced it. My recommendation has to be the wild mushroom lasagne. Divine. I do wonder if the person below actually mentioned this to the owners? It doesn't sound like them at all. Oh, and the sticky toffee pudding. Divine again. Anna, 19/01/10 We had a work Christmas party at the Black Boy and, as the person who acted as ‘organiser’, I was totally humiliated by the portion sizes and a debacle with the payment. The website failed to inform us of a further 10% service charge for large groups. The meal was an either £19.95 three-course or £15.95 two-course deal. It didn’t include anything but your chosen dishes and tap water (which seemed to be pushing our luck) and a mini mince pie. The entrees were a good size, so all seemed promising, but I was crushed to see our mains served as big-plate, little-serve style meals. I sat hopefully waiting that some side dishes of vegetables were coming for us to share, particularly as the meals seemed to be deficient in vegetable components. Even more disappointing was that the tiny portion of risotto served (the only vegetarian option) was tasteless (a fair achievement considering it supposedly contained truffle oil and parmesan cheese!). I’ve never known a risotto to be so bad. A few bowls of green beans, even brussel sprouts would have been a relief, but alas - no. It was the same for the minimalist type desserts. As a work-related event, we needed receipts to suit our employer who would subsidise it. So, having confirmed all of this before at the time of the booking, we proceeded to request that the group’s receipt be split in two. The whole thing was paid for by one person representing the group who pulled out all stops to try to make this situation go smoothly, but no - the person serving us could not pull their finger out to accommodate what we needed even though I had confirmed all of this in advance! That part was particularly painful after the dreadful let down of the meals. A few of us lingered after all was paid for to be told, 'Oh, you’re leaving! But don’t you want mince pies?' Of course we answered, 'Yes please!” and we made sure we got all of those that we were owed for the rest of our party, but overall it was an experience I’d rather forget. Embarrassed!, 17/01/10 Yes, yes, YES! The Blues Hobos are back on Thursdays! We went last night...the place was packed and stayed buzzing until well past 11. Fab food, great prices, brilliant entertainment....why would you go anywhere else? Dolarge, 15/01/10 Went with a Christmas party and was really astonished at the lengths these guys go to. The food was wonderful, and I can't eat dairy! Service friendly and professional. I'll be back. With my friends. A top notch venue in Oxford? Yahoo! 10/12/09 What - NO HOBOS???? - disaster. Went on Thurs as usual, no blues, no humour, no music. Urrrgh? Apparently they are not playing in December as the space is required for tables. Bummer. 'Back in January' is what they said behind the bar, but only every 2 weeks...Grrrrr. The food was good, as always, but the usual Thursday atmosphere wasn't happening. Zubair, 07/12/09 Last Thursday they turned away 4 lots of people who turned up on spec & I know they had at least a couple of calls wanting a table - no room at the inn. Everything written below about this place since it was taken over by Abby & Chris a year ago is true - this is about as good as a pub gets. It's not a pool table, darts, Aunt Sally type of place - it's also not a gastro pub charging hgh end restaurant prices - it is however a really nice, homely, relaxed and friendly place to get a decent meal at a decent price....and the vibe is fabulous. I gather other nights (weekdays) are not quite so hectic but on Thursdays when the band play (The Blues Hobos) it's great fun. Never too loud, always entertaining and varied and well worth the slight detour out of the way down the old High Street to go and visit. I really recommend Thursdays BUT it is busy so maybe a non music night might be better if you want a quiet intimate meal at a good price. For me I book on Thursdays as the vibey feeling is great. Long may it continue.....a little bird tells me that they are opening 5-6 rooms in the spring, those + a fabulously renovated garden will make this a place to send friends to stay. Excellent. Anne, 06/10/09 Beautiful food. Fab staff. Fab place. Go! Annie, 21/08/09 You really need this place in your life to make you smile! - how can you not enjoy great value food, free fantastic live music (The Blues Hobos - Thursdays) and a wonderful atmosphere. Now let's get one thing straight - this is not the finest food you will ever eat BUT it is great value, well presented and tasty (the only possible gripe would be that those who like to feel full after eating possibly won't as the portions are not the largest ever seen on a plate). We have been here 5 times now and make a point of heading over on a Thursday to catch the live music which is never too loud, always entertaining and varied - blues, jazz and classic american songbook stuff. A word of warning, you need to book or you simply will not get a table. The staff are always friendly and attentive when required. Chris, the head chef and co-owner, informed me that they are doing 50-70 covers most nights - which can't be bad - he said Thursdays is the start of a busy weekend and the band helps people wind down and start to relax into the coming weekend.....which is nice! i don't want to spoil a good thing because Oxford has so few real gems that are not over commercialized, the Black Boy if a shining star. Compare the pub dot com, simples......go there! Gazza, 27/07/09 You really need this place in your life to make you smile! - how can you not enjoy great value food, free fantastic live music (The Blues Hobos - Thursdays) and a wonderful atmosphere? Now let's get one thing straight - this is not the finest food you will ever eat BUT it is great value, well presented and tasty (the only possible gripe would be that those who like to feel full after eating possibly won't as the portions are not the largest ever seen on a plate). We have been here 5 times now and make a point of heading over on a Thursday to catch the live music which is never too loud, always entertaining and varied - blues, jazz and classic American songbook stuff. A word of warning, you need to book or you simply will not get a table. The staff are always friendly and attentive when required. Chris, the head chef and co-owner, informed me that they are doing 50-70 covers most nights - which can't be bad - he said Thursdays is the start of a busy weekend and the band helps people wind down and start to relax into the coming weekend.....which is nice! I don't want to spoil a good thing because Oxford has so few real gems that are not over-commercialized...the Black Boy is a shining star. To use the words of a meerkat, Compare the pub dot com - Simples! Go there! Mick, 24/07/09 My boyfriend and I popped in late yesterday afternoon/evening on the off chance, we were lucky as it was only just after 6.30 and said they needed the table by 8.15 which was absoultly fine. The decor is very nice, modern and inviting. My boyfriend ordered the burger and I had the chicken pie, my boyfriend said that the burger was a bit dry but otherwise tasted nice, I had the chicken pie which was really nice, the service was good and we felt welcome, our only complaint would be the small portions!! PW, 17/07/09 Every night I have been here has been great BUT Thursdays with The Blues Hobos is special. Live music (never too loud or in your face), fabulous food (and wonderful value) and a great atmosphere. As others have said something here is working and from a standing start 6 months ago this place is now simply one of the best places to go. All the better for being slightly off the beaten track - it's a real gem....and the new garden is an oasis! Miss it and miss out. Period. Rachael, 26/05/09 What a wonderful place to eat and feel welcome! Had a wonderful meal here on a Friday night. It was very busy but cosy and so welcoming. The waiting staff were very attendant, especially Abi, one of the owners. She was fantastic. We all had bavette steak and French Fries plus starter and one of the most delicious sticky toffee puddings I've ever eaten - not too big but oh sooooo tasty! Will definitely be having that the next time I go. The Black Boy has everything right! Goosey Lucy, 10/05/09 A nice environment with great food and fab live Blues (The Blues Hobos) on Thursdays.... something is working here - you can't get a table! 04/05/09 Had a really great night here recently. Loved the BLUES HOBOS, the food and friendly atmosphere. Emma, 17/04/09 GO HERE - it's wonderful! The food was great value and the Blues Hobos (band) on Thursdays are brilliant and make for a fantastic night out. The recent glowing Guardian review of this place was not wrong. As little Nicola said: "a splendid time is guaranteed for all". Thanks Chris & Abi (show the rest how to do it properly). And thanks to The Blues Hobos too - fab fun! Susie Q, 28/02/09 Deep joy is all I can say. I find every excuse not to cook now so I can go and eat at the Black Boy. Rarely do you find a place where you can walk in and immediately feel welcomed. The test for me is that, as a female, I would feel comfortable going in and eating alone as the staff are so friendly and the nook as you walk in is cosy. I have worked my way through the menu and look forward to starting over again! If only all owners were like Abi and Chris, pubs wouldn't be closing! Rachel, 11/02/09 What a find! This is without doubt the warmest, most friendly, atmospheric, welcoming and damn-right nicest place to be outside my front door! I went last Thursday as there was the bonus of some low-key blues on offer. The band were brilliant, fantastic musicians turning out re-worked versions of blues classics - just 2 guys "The Blues Hobos" and 2 guitars who understood the gig and did not over power everything else going on. The food was brilliant and cheap! and the place was buzzing. A Thursday evening anywhere else would be dull by comparison. Yes it's slightly off the beaten track and yes you have to make an effort as it's not a footfall pub but there is parking and it's only 5 minutes from central Headington. Clearly I wasn't alone in my view as I spoke to several people at the bar who had been back time and time again - I can see why. Miss this place and you miss a real noughties treat. I don't know what other nights are like but I was told they are pretty busy too - my advice, go on a Thursday... you won't be disappointed! Jono, 07/02/09 I had the most wonderful meal at The Black Boy this lunchtime. However, the experience was completely ruined by a lady who was obviously looking for something to criticise. She made sure all other diners heard her and complained of the bread being thin (mine was perfect, and obviously home-made), the piccalilli too chunky (is there such a thing?) and her burger too well-cooked, with old lettuce. I had the burger and it was, again, obviously home-made. She then proceeded to ask other tables how theirs was! I assured her that our meal was lovely and all the other diners agreed. The Black Boy was very busy for a Tuesday lunch and eating there is a delight which I throughly recommend. Despite the lady who was in charge trying to make amends with this complaining lady, the grievances didn't stop and throughly ruined our lunch. I'm writing this to reassure Abigail and Chris, the owners, that they are doing a wonderful job, and we thoroughly agree with Mr Rayner at The Observer: there should be more young caterers like you trying to make a go of providing excellent food at a price we can afford. Please do not take that lady's criticism to heart, we think your food is lovely and your welcome warm! Keep it up and you'll see us again very soon! Mr Hooton, 20/01/09 Simple one this - great food, great vibe, great feel. Period. Like the previous reviewer I enjoy good Jazz & Blues and I wasn't disappointed. Dark, damp Thursday evenings are worth venturing out on when an enjoyable evening with great music can be had - turn the television off and get over there.... not too many of you though as I want a regular seat! Well done the new patrons (Chris & Abi), and well done the Blues Hobos - quality blues for free at a level that lets you listen or talk - excellent! Zubes, 16/12/08 Have been to the BB 3 times since the new owners took over, going out of my way to deliberately get over there. On my 2nd visit I caught the Jazz/Blues on a Thursday and now will try and get there regularly on Thursdays as the music is a fabulous freebee! The food is excellent (though personally I'd like larger portions) and the look and feel of the place is very homely. Nice & warm & friendly. Give it a try....well worth going slightly off the beaten track. Parking is no problem, which is always a bonus and as I say on Thursdays you get a fab musical duo for free (ongoing residency - The Blues Hobos) Enjoy. Pete Dolan, 05/12/08 I have no idea what the Black Boy was like before its recent barstaurant makeover, but the owners have clearly put a lot of love and cash into making it what it is now: a simply classy joint with cuisine to match. Given the giant silver flock wallpaper, huge mirrors and arty Scandiwegian lighting, you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd wandered into an upmarket London bar, so it's a surprise and a relief to find the prices comfortably within the average pub dining bracket (mains are all £5 - £10). The menu comprises trad. pub favourites (fish and chips, steaks, burgers, pasta, pizzas) and more exotic dishes (scallop feillentine, ham hock terrine, gnocchi, foie gras parfait) to lend that little bit of extra flair and style that turns a pub into into a gastropub. Service is excellent, the staff managing to be professional as well as friendly and attentive. As for the food: the goat's cheese salad (£4.50) was small, with the right combination of richness and tanginess not overpowered by too much dressing on the pleasantly herby, fresh salad. The pork belly was well cooked and flavoursome, though the mash could have had a little more character; the haddock fishcakes (£8.95 main, £5.50 starter) were generous and tasty and - whilst a little heavy on the dill for my own personal taste - certainly didn't skimp on meaty fish content. The Italian pinot grigio (£16.95) washed things down well, particularly complementing the unexpected jewel in the crown: the sticky toffee pudding (£4.95). What can often be like a small lead weight was in this instance a light, fluffy concoction with a tart edge provided by chunks of orange and offset by just enough vanilla ice cream. (We could have eaten one each, which is saying something.) The wine list is shortish but good, though the markup is clearly where the pub will be making most of its income (though who can blame them for that - they can't be making much on the insanely reasonably-priced food!). This place appears to be doing everything right so far, even down to having a regular weekly quiz and a jazz night to get more bums on seats - which might go some way to creating the only thing that's (undeservedly) lacking: a lively atmosphere. Chances are high, though, that if the Black Boy continues to provide such decent grub at such good value, this peaceful window will be shortlived. You might be wise to get in there before it's so lively that you can't get a table. Su Jordan & Ian Threadgill, 16/10/08 Please don't discover this pub. You don't want to eat the delicious food, at brilliant prices. You definitely don't want to try the steak (£9.95), which I wrestled from my boyfriend. And when you're not coming here, and not eating the steak, you should also not eat the goats' cheese salad (£4.50), nor the fishcakes (£5.50). You don't want to try the exciting wine list, you certainly don't want to chat to the friendly and enthusiastic staff, and the last thing you want to do is spend a fabulous evening in a gorgeous pub with a great atmosphere. Coming to the Black Boy would be a very bad thing to do, as I might not be able to get a table next time. Kate, 15/10/08 We went to check out the NEW Black Boy, and WOW were we impressed! The new management team have done really well - the food was great and service was second to none. Keep up the good work - we'll sure be back again and again! 13/10/08 Just been to the Black Boy - the new owners have got it absolutely spot on. The food was excellent, perfect steak and chips for under £10, and plenty more appetising stuff on the menu, a bargain. Great service, much improved decor, the only blemish was only one choice of ale (old speckled hen) although another draft was promised soon. I'll definitely be going back, and hopefully it will be a bit busier, as it certainly deserves to be. rd, 08/10/08 The Black Boy is still open with an interim management company. I, Abigail Rose, and my business partner, Chris Bentham will be taking over at the end of September. We have both just finished working at The High Table Brasserie in Oxford as General manager and Head Chef and will be moving onto The Black Boy. We're both ex Raymond Blanc trained staff and very much look forward to bringing a reasonable priced menu (under £10) and offering a good pub atmosphere aswell. We hope to see you there, and in the meanwhile, the interim managers are doing a very good job! 06/09/08 I think you will find that the pub is very much still open! (see second review below this one...) JimJam, 30/08/08 I personally don't favour the interior decor - I'd like to see it go the way of the skip. The drinks selection is too restricted and the food too expensive currently, but if I ran the pub things would change. I would like to see the Aunt Sally team brought back, along with the darts team, and a return of the visits by the Morris Dancers. I would institute a real beer week under CAMRA. The facade and forecourt needs a lot of work doing to it to bring it up to scratch as a truly respectable pub. the publican, 14/07/08 I visited the previous incarnation of The Black Boy around 18 months ago and found it to be a run-of-the-mill going-nowehere locals' pub with a pool table as its main feature and a plethora of lads and lasses drinking weak lager loading coins into the fruitie... ....So it came as a blessed relief when I found The Black Boy (temporarily - sadly) has now been turned into one of the classiest pubs in not just Headington but indeed Oxford. I say temporarily because the place in its current guise is due to shut down in 2 weeks due to lack of custom! It may be in the smartest part of Headington but they must have mis-judged the local market and its off the beaten track location. This is a crying shame as the place is really classy but still in a non-pretentious laid-back pubby way feeling as it does like some of central Oxford's premier gastropubby/bars such as Sahara or The Oxford Retreat with thick, woody furniture with unmatching chairs, a smattering of leather easy chairs and a striking bar with lighted spirit shelves and bottles of wine stacked in huge racks. This all wouldn't look out of place in some over-priced Cotswold village pub or in the centre of some leafy commuter town in Surrey or Kent but in the back streets of Headington it feels a little strange. They do serve food both from the bar and to a small restaurant situated at the far end of the bar in a small annex but this was shut when we visited one late weekday night. All-in-all, go and visit while you still can as there's no telling what will arrive next. Joe B, 29/06/08
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