Thursday 4 July 2024

An Evening at Ottolenghi's New Bicester Village Restaurant

 


I recently had the pleasure of visiting Ottolenghi's new restaurant in Bicester Village, Oxfordshire, to sample their summer menu. It was a lovely evening, filled with delightful surprises.

A Warm Welcome

As we arrived, we were greeted with welcome drinks. The drinks were a refreshing apple and hibiscus gin with Amalfi lemon and strawberries, and St. Germain with sparkling wine. Alongside these, we enjoyed an array of delicious canapés. The restaurant buzzed with excitement, and the ambiance was perfect for mingling with other guests.

Delectable Canapés

The canapés served were a treat for the senses:

  • Spiced potato samosas with apricot chamoy
  • Herby feta and walnut dip with pomegranate and chicory leaves
  • Beetroot pkhali filo cups with olive salsa

For the non-vegetarians, there were:

  • Cured-crusted salmon with peanut gochujang
  • Ricotta and beef meatballs with tomato sauce

Stunning Decor and a Deli

I fell in love with the décor of the restaurant. The deli, offering Ottolenghi products and cakes for purchase, added a unique touch. Now, you can enjoy Ottolenghi’s staple dishes at home or at events in the Cotswolds and Oxfordshire.

Ottolenghi Expands Catering Services

The Ottolenghi Group is thrilled to expand its catering services to the Cotswolds and Oxfordshire. Previously exclusive to Greater London, these services are perfect for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events, making each occasion special and memorable.

Catering for All Occasions

Ottolenghi's catering service suits any event, from intimate dinners for two to large celebrations for five hundred. Their offerings include bountiful salads, breakfast spreads, celebration cakes, and full sit-down dinners, all radiating abundance, color, and generosity.

Expert Team for Unforgettable Events

Their team of fantastic chefs, bartenders, and waiting staff ensure unforgettable events. They can present your food, cook at your event, arrange waiting staff, or deliver your food anywhere in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. For a simpler option, you can collect your order from their new Bicester Village restaurant and serve it yourself. With no minimum spend requirements, their services fit any budget and occasion.

Diverse Menu Selection

Sample catering menus feature a wide selection of dishes, including canapés, salads, mains, and cakes. There’s something for everyone, ensuring a delightful experience.

A Journey of Flavour

Ottolenghi began in a small shop in Notting Hill in 2002. Chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi developed a unique style rooted in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions, incorporating diverse global influences and ingredients.

A Growing Family

Over 20 years, Ottolenghi has grown into a proud family of nine delis and restaurants across London, and now in the Cotswolds and Oxfordshire.

A Vegetarian Delight

After the appetizers, we enjoyed our main meal, served family-style. As vegetarians, my partner and I were pleasantly surprised by the excellent options:

  • Lentils and pickled shallots with berbere-spiced croutons
  • Roasted cauliflower with pumpkin seeds and barberries
  • Roasted aubergine with saffron yoghurt and pine nuts


For the non-vegetarians, there were:

  • Seabass fillet with caponata and green peppercorn
  • Herby leek, hispi cabbage, and feta borek with caraway seeds
  • Lamb kofta with bulgur and caramelised onion

All the food we tried was tasty, beautifully presented, with the perfect balance of textures and flavours. The chef made good use of seasonal produce, and the variety of choices suited every palate.

Irresistible Desserts

When we thought we could eat no more, we were tempted with a trio of desserts:

  • Passion fruit meringue tart
  • Flourless pistachio, lemon, and polenta cake with orange blossom
  • Raspberry and white chocolate pavlova

All these delightful treats were served with our coffee of choice, ending the meal on a perfect note.

Conclusion

My evening at Ottolenghi's new Bicester Village restaurant was a delightful experience. The warm welcome, beautiful décor, and delicious food made it a night to remember. Whether dining in or catering an event, Ottolenghi's offerings are sure to impress.


**I was an invited guest at the Ottolenghi summer tasting menu event, all views and opinions shared are of my experience of the food and drinks.


46 comments:

  1. Thanks for an honest review of Ottolenghi. They have an amazing catering service - the food looks wonderful! Stephanie

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    1. The food was amazing and as a vegetarian I was pleasantly surprised at the options.

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  2. Ottolenghi's catering service offers a feast for the eyes - would be wonderful for any celebration large or small. The food sounds just delish! Steph G

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    1. Yes I totally agree , these is indeed a very useful service in the Cotswold and Oxfordshire.

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  3. omg everything looks so so good! The food looks amazing and delicious...I love vegetarian food.

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    1. Yes the food indeed was amazing and both the veg and non veg that the others tried.

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  4. Ottolengi's sounds like an amazing culinary experience! I always love finding new, incredible restaurants to try out. This is definitely one that's made it to the top of my list of places to visit.

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    1. Yes a great place to visit and their catering service they are offering is one to keep in mind too.

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  5. surely you had a nice evening with all the delicious food I am seeing. Spending alone time eating there or with a company is very much welcome in places like that as you will never feel left out.

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    1. Yes there was lovely ambience and great food too.

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  6. Lavanda Michelle5 July 2024 at 17:00

    The décor of the restaurant and the addition of a deli offering Ottolenghi products and cakes for purchase sound like the perfect complement to such a culinary experience. It must have been a delightful blend of ambiance and gourmet offerings. Thanks for sharing this mouthwatering experience!

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    1. It was a win win , not only did we enjoy the food but went home with so much more from the tempting deli.

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  7. The welcome drinks, with their refreshing flavors, and the delicious canapés set the tone for a perfect evening. The buzzing atmosphere and ideal ambiance for mingling make it sound like a fantastic place to enjoy with friends and meet new people.

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    Replies
    1. Yes it is a lovely place to visit. they have many branches in London too.

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  8. Oh wow the vegetarian food looks fantastic (and often can be overlooked). Sounds like fantastic food all around.

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    1. There was a lovely selection of both veg and non veg dishes. Lots of choice.

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  9. This looks like a lovely place to eat. So modern and attractive, and lots of great food. Glad to hear there is a nice variety including vegetarian food.

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    1. Yes there were lots of veg and non veg options.

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  10. Everything looks so scrumptious. And the service seems Top notch

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  11. I love visiting Bicester. It's great to hear how Ottolenghi are providing catering to Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.

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    Replies
    1. Yes really good news for those living in that area.

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  12. Nnniiccceeeee....I wish I was here, for this food. It is all so delicious, right from the eye. Thanks for sharing about it.

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  13. Ottolenghis looks seriously amazing. I love the atmosphere, and the food has me hungry just looking at the photos.

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  14. Such amazing caterers! My mouth is watering just seeing the photos and reading the descriptions of the dishes they provide. Stephanie G

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    1. Thankyou yes I think their catering service will do really well/

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  15. Wow! These food choices look delicious and interesting - I wish I was near this place. What an amazing assortment of different foods and drinks.

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  16. What an amazing evening! Your vivid descriptions and photos make it feel like we're right there with you. Ottolenghi's dishes sound incredible, and your review is so helpful. Thanks for sharing your experience!

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  17. Impressing food offerings, warm welcome, beautiful decor make this restaurant a unique experience. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Yes I agree nice ambience and great food.

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  18. This place looks awesome! Ottolengi's food is so yummy! I wish I could attend such an event.

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  19. That sounds like such a lovely event and the restaurant itself looks great. The drinks and various foods served sound really tasty. I'd really love to try heir new menu.

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    1. They have branches in London so you could visit there too.

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  20. Thanks for the great descriptions and photos. It looks like you had a fun evening. The catering service looks awesome.

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    1. Yes I am really excited to know they now offer this catering service.

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  21. So yummy food and deserts, seem amazing experince going to this place. It's nice when you get good services and enjoy the meal.

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  22. Bedabrata Chakraborty11 July 2024 at 15:54


    Your evening at Ottolenghi's sounds amazing! What was your favorite dish? I’d love to visit Bicester Village and try it myself. Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Bedabrata Chakraborty11 July 2024 at 15:55


    Your evening at Ottolenghi's sounds amazing! What was your favorite dish? I’d love to visit Bicester Village and try it myself. Thanks for sharing!

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  24. It sounds like you really got to sample so many great foods! The samosas, the desserts, it all looked amazing!

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  25. The food at Ottolenghi looks great. I am a vegetarian myself and ythis seems perfect for me. Thanks for an honest review.

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  26. The canapes look to die for!! Yummm! Wish I was there sharing the food.

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