Bucks &amp; Oxon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-glorious-food">Food glorious food</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/306088230_509241077873495_4021918801158873416_n-1000x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139515" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/306088230_509241077873495_4021918801158873416_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/306088230_509241077873495_4021918801158873416_n-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/306088230_509241077873495_4021918801158873416_n-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/306088230_509241077873495_4021918801158873416_n-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/306088230_509241077873495_4021918801158873416_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/306088230_509241077873495_4021918801158873416_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/306088230_509241077873495_4021918801158873416_n.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Good news for fans of The Golden Ball in Henley &#8211; it&#8217;s got its shine back, thanks to chef Ben Watson (formerly of the three Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth in London) and his wife Priya, who are re-opening the restaurant on 23 Nov. The new menu has a little Michelin flare to it &#8211; think pig&#8217;s head fritter starters and chai panna cotta puddings with ginger wine jelly &#8211; but the prices aren&#8217;t London skyscraper high. The two-course set lunch will be £20, or three courses a very reasonable £25. Let me fetch my elasticated waist trousers&#8230;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/BV_Landscape_1920x1080_Cecconi-s_Illustration_Hero-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139520" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/BV_Landscape_1920x1080_Cecconi-s_Illustration_Hero-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/BV_Landscape_1920x1080_Cecconi-s_Illustration_Hero-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/BV_Landscape_1920x1080_Cecconi-s_Illustration_Hero-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/BV_Landscape_1920x1080_Cecconi-s_Illustration_Hero-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/BV_Landscape_1920x1080_Cecconi-s_Illustration_Hero.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Lovers of Italian food will soon have two new haunts to choose from in Oxfordshire. Bicester Village is set to be home to the first <a href="https://www.thebicestercollection.com/bicester-village/en/dine/cecconis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cecconi</a>&#8216;s outside of London, and it looks like it&#8217;ll be an IG feed dream, with statement chandeliers, a sleek cocktail bar and pink marble and teal velvet galore. We wouldn&#8217;t expect anything else from a Soho House restaurant! It&#8217;ll be opening in late November, so you can treat yourself to a little post-Christmas shopping aperitivo and cichetti. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Gusto-Italian.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139493" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Gusto-Italian.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Gusto-Italian-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Gusto-Italian-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Gusto-Italian-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Gusto-Italian-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Meanwhile, <a href="https://gustorestaurants.uk.com/restaurants/oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gusto Italian</a> (above) is welcoming hungry sourdough pizza-munchers to Oxford&#8217;s historic Grade II-listed building The Mitre from 1 Dec. Dough not your thing? There&#8217;s plenty on this menu to satisfy, including rich pasta dishes (scallop and prawn ravioli in lobster bisque, anyone?), show-stopping meat and fish dishes like the whole roasted sea bream to share or the Chateaubriand with cacio e pepe butter,&nbsp;and an extensive list of inventive cocktails. 



Sadly, we&#8217;ve had to say goodbye to the kitchen at Muddy (and Michelin) favourite <a href="https://www.thehundred.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hundred</a> of Ashendon, which closed at the start of the month. The inventive menus and amazing service will be sorely missed. The bar and B&amp;B is still operational, so if you fancy popping in to support, now is your chance. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Booze news</h2>



A quick round-up for you: The <a href="https://www.ladygrovepubdidcot.co.uk">Ladygrove</a> pub in Didcot is reopening on 21 Nov after a £400k makeover, just in for the festive season, and The Wheatsheaf cocktail bar in High Wycombe (which unceremoniously and unexpectedly closed just a few months after opening) is set to become Feel Lounge UK. No opening date just yet, but we&#8217;ll keep you posted! 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="957" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Little-Sandys-1000x957.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139499" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Little-Sandys-1000x957.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Little-Sandys-800x765.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Little-Sandys-400x383.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Little-Sandys-549x525.jpg 549w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Little-Sandys.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



In case you missed it, Witney is now home to not one, but two new bars this month. <a href="https://www.blindtigerbars.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Blind Tiger</a> and <a href="https://sandyspianobar.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Sandy&#8217;s</a> both serve up buzzy atmosphere, quirky decor, live music and &#8211; of course &#8211; plenty of cocktails. 



Grab your neckwarmer and goggles &#8211; Henley bar and event space <a href="http://www.stablethirtyfour.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stable 34</a> is launching an après-ski lounge in December, with speciality-themed drinks and the chance to hire out for Christmas parties. There&#8217;ll also be a Christmas market-themed pop-up, with bratwurst, German pretzels, mulled wine and cider all on offer. Ja,&nbsp;bitte.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Waggon-and-Horses.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139502" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Waggon-and-Horses.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Waggon-and-Horses-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Waggon-and-Horses-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Waggon-and-Horses-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Waggon-and-Horses-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Waggon-and-Horses-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Waggon-and-Horses-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Finally, cosy village pub and eatery <a href="https://www.thewaggonandhorsessouthmoor.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Waggon and Horses</a> in Southmoor will sadly closing its doors come the new year &#8211; but you still have a chance to enjoy the excellent fare and drinks up until the end of December, so do head along to show the staff a little love (and to try new festive puds, Eggnog Cheesecake with Cinnamon Crumb and Christmas Pudding with Redcurrant Compote, Redcurrant Butter and Brandy Sauce). 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Credit cards at the ready</h2>



Some new boutiques are due to open in our neck of the woods, including luxe footwear and accessories brand <a href="https://www.fairfaxandfavor.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fairfax &amp; Favour</a> (the newly-titled Catherine, Princess of Wales is a fan) and men&#8217;s clothing shop <a href="https://www.burrowsandhare.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burrow &amp; Hare</a>, both of which are setting up shop in Marlow&#8217;s market square. No set dates yet, but we think it&#8217;s likely to be early in 2023. Keep your eyes peeled!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/NEOM-Bicester-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139522" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/NEOM-Bicester-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/NEOM-Bicester-1-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/NEOM-Bicester-1-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/NEOM-Bicester-1-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/NEOM-Bicester-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/NEOM-Bicester-1-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



This side of the New Year, hotfoot it to <a href="https://www.thebicestercollection.com/bicester-village/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bicester Village</a> for the newest boutique openings &#8211; including a NEOM Organics pop-up (above), a Le Creuset pop-up, and new Elemis and Jo Malone London boutiques. Haven&#8217;t signed up for their membership? Now&#8217;s the time, as you can save up to 50% in selected boutiques from 21 &#8211; 30 Nov as part of their Magical Savings event. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sounds of the summer</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/PubinthePark-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139512" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/PubinthePark-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/PubinthePark-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/PubinthePark-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/PubinthePark-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/PubinthePark.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Festival season might feel like a lonnng way off, but it&#8217;s worth getting your frozen, scarf-wearing ducks in a row to nab these tickets. <a href="https://www.pubintheparkuk.com/marlow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pub in the Park</a> has announced its first wave of headliners for Marlow (18-21 May), with big names including Sam Ryder, Clean Bandit and Bananarama. Early bird tickets are already sold out, but keep your beady gaze fixed on socials for the next allocation, which goes on sale in early 2023. 



Hello, is it Lionel Richie you&#8217;re looking for? Then book your tickets to <a href="https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/nocturne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blenheim&#8217;s Nocturne</a> summer concerts on 14-18 June. Due to massive demand, an extra date has been added for Mr Richie, and you can now see him on 14 and 15 June &#8211; a great Christmas gift for a fan (especially if you treat them to a VIP package including dining in the State Room in the Palace). 



If you love the quirky soundtrack of <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/john-lewis-christmas-advert-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this year&#8217;s John Lewis Christmas advert</a>, then perk up those ears &#8211; Postmodern Jukebox will be coming to Oxford as part of their UK tour in April 2023. Catch them at the <a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/scott-bradlees-postmodern-jukebox-life-in-the-past-lane-tour/new-theatre-oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Theatre</a> on 15 Apr.

Superflashy newsflash! The latest openings in Bucks & Oxon

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