It sounded too good to be true; Poulet Frites night at Pompette in Summertown, well known as one of Oxford’s best restaurants, with salad and wine for only £40 for two people? Surely not?
But on Wednesday night if you get yourself down to the French restaurant on South Parade that is exactly what you get.
the ‘Cervelle de canut’ is an absolute must, once tried never forgotten
And of course with Pascal Wiedemann’s flair for wonderful Franco-centric European cooking, and his wife Laura’s eye for design, it was done beautifully.
The offer is half a roast chicken with unlimited frites, green salad and home-made mayonnaise with a carafe of crisp Viognier white wine.
But once you arrive in the stylish, ambient interior it would be a shame not to throw in some starters and appetisers right?
Especially the ‘Cervelle de canut’ – an absolute must, once tried never forgotten – a Lyonnaise fresh cheese, walnut and herb dip, served with crudités and croutons which is dangerously moreish.
Then perhaps a portion of the moules because they do them so beautifully at Pompette, in this instance Cornish mussels with nduja, white wine, cream and parsley (£12), giving it a novel creamy, spicy taste with a pink hue.
The chicken was moist and beautifully cooked, the frites crispy and addictive, the salad equally as portent, and as for the dressing, we asked for the recipe
And maybe a portion of the burrata with courgettes, Datterini tomatoes, pine nuts and mint (£10.50) because it sounded too good to pass up and entirely fulfilled its potential.
Sitting back to enjoy the atmosphere as the space filled up, the private room upstairs was in full swing, and it was business as usual.
But the main event was worth the wait. The chicken was moist and beautifully cooked, the frites crispy and addictive, the crisp salad equally as portent, and as for the dressing we asked for the recipe – creamy, sharp with herbs and oils, we kept refilling our plates time and time again. All washed down with the carefully chosen wine, it was a real feast.
We couldn’t leave without toying with the Yorkshire rhubarb, lemon mousse, brandy snap and pistachio dessert (£9.50) which quivered with Barbara Cartland pinkness, and just the right mix of tart and sweetness.
And go on then, yes we had the chocolate flan Parisien with rum raisins and hazelnuts (£9.50). I wasn’t sure about the raisins actually as they overshadowed the chocolate, but the pastry was immense.
Rather a success then, and such a lovely way to eat. So with the Poulet Frites offer on every Wednesday night, and the terrace ready for the sunshine, I’d book a table now.
Pompette is at 7 South Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL. Go to https://www.pompetterestaurant.co.uk
