Sunday roast at The White Hart

Round & About

Abingdon & Kingston Bagpuize, Botley, Cumnor & Summertown, Didcot, Food & Recipes, Goring, Henley & Watlington, Oxfordshire, Round and About, Wallingford, Wantage & Faringdon, Witney

The team at The White Hart at Fyfield have earned a spot in the Good Food Guide’s inaugural 50 Best Sunday Roasts 2024

January is not a joyful month. But one surefire way to beat the winter blues is to settle into the majestic White Hart and feast like a king. The Good Food Guide judges agree which is why the team have won a coveted award for the perfect roast.

Foodies are spellbound by this restaurant and pub, owned by chef Mark Chandler and his wife Kay, which occupies a beautifully converted 15th century chantry house, with a kitchen garden, in one of the county’s prettiest spots.

If you haven’t been (it’s amazing how many lifelong locals haven’t), you’re in for a right royal treat. Grahame Wickham joined as head chef last February after earning a galaxy of star accolades around the world, as well as starring as a quarter-finalist on MasterChef The Professionals and a finalist twice in the last two National Chef of the Year contests.

He and the team have been blowing foodies’ socks off with dishes that celebrate the best seasonal produce (you’ll often find the chefs foraging locally). Popular favourites on the menu which show the kitchen’s skills (and might blow your mind) include popular nibbles such as Korean chicken with pickled red onion, chilli and sesame. From the off, you know you’re in excellent hands but make sure to arrive hungry to make room for the epic feasts which feel fitting in the gorgeous triple-height baronial dining room: think heavy doors, antlers galore and gloriously comfortable thrones and banquettes to settle into for an afternoon.

Aside from the roasts (the Yorkshire puds alone deserve a medal), stand-out dishes include the monkfish bourguignon with smoked pancetta, wild mushrooms, Grelot onions, spinach puree, red wine jus (£32), or how about pan-roasted duck breast, confit Roscoff onion, wilted greens, toasted pumpkin seeds, sweet potato fondant, preserved plums, balsamic and plum ketchup, duck and plum sauce (£31)?

Impossible as it seems, make sure you have room to try the puddings which are a whole other level! You’re sure of plenty of nutty and nice creations, with a brain-melting array of flavours, as well as the homemade ice creams, from pear through to coffee and caramel.

Since taking on The White Hart in 2005, Mark and Kay have lovingly restored this beautiful, old building to its former glory, and have built its reputation as a gourmet destination. Their carefully curated wine list focuses on small, independent makers and there’s a selection of local real ales, including best seller, White Hart ale, brewed at nearby Loose Cannon. 

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