I don’t want to be thought a snob (I’m not really), but if you live on the North side of Oxford, Jericho provides a warm and comforting blanket that there is very little need to leave. When the time does come, you simply head even further north to Summertown. I finally decided the time had come for me to venture to the more vibrant and urban side of Oxford, and head down the Cowley Road to give Café CoCo, one of the eateries of the Clinton Pugh Empire, a try.

We arrived just before eight, and the atmosphere was already that of a buzzing, cosmopolitan restaurant. Caz, the delightful Manager, was surrounded by a bevy of wonderful, efficient and charming servers. My companion and I were shown to a comfortable table with plenty of elbowroom.

I had been told that their cocktails are a winner, but regret that my driving prevented my sampling them this time. I chose instead to sip on a small glass of house white, a zingy Chenin Blanc, whilst my guest chose a glass of their house red, a pleasantly full-bodied Merlot Shiraz. We both shared a bottle of their sparkling water, which I was pleased to note only had “drink miles” sufficient to carry it from its source at Blenheim.

For a starter, I chose garlic dough bread with hummus and my companion had a fresh tomato and mozzarella salad. For my main course I chose the sea bass served over a bed of wilted chard with fried new potatoes and roasted peppers. It was quite tasty and cooked well, with those great crispy bits on the edges that make bass such a treat. To make up for my main course envy, I added a rocket and Parmesan salad dressed with a balsamic reduction. My friend also helped me out by choosing the other main on the menu I really wanted – their hefty, great, very meaty, tasty beef burger with a mini-forest of assorted green leaves and some fried new potatoes to accompany. I was interested to find out whether they would continue to serve their most popular burger dish once their nearby neighbour, Clinton’s Oxford Organic Burger Kitchen, had opened. I am glad to report that they apparently are!

Although pudding was a struggle to fit in, I can report that the gooey chocolate brownie was as good as billed.

Tremendous staff, lively atmosphere, and slightly disturbing sculptures scattered around the bar area (you have to see Mrs Coco for yourself). Plus, good food and good wine at an affordable price will always prove a popular combination!

- Reviewed by Max Mason

 

Café Coco is actually a hip little brasserie that serves up awesome pizza dishes. However, what truly separates it from the other cafés and small restaurants on Oxford's south side is the quality of their coffee. A very eclectic crowd of people may be found here at any point during the day, sipping quietly at the bar or chatting it up with friends. As they say, "Who cares? Just chill." - 10 Best

 

Exquisite carrot cake and 'stodgy' but bloody nice apple crumble...My observant friend also noticed that Cafe Coco was one of the few places in Oxford where a girl could go for a quiet drink and feel totally un-intimidated. - Timothy Houghton, Oxford Cherwell

 

Café Coco is a cosy café-come-cocktail-bar located on the Cowley Road in Oxford famous for its Mediterranean cuisine. With its chocolate box exterior and convivial dining room, Café Coco is famous for having 'the best cappuccinos in Oxford' and locals love the restaurant's posh pizzas, pasta and salads which have been a hit with students and tourists alike for over 16 years. The horseshoe shaped bar is decorated with an ice sculpture of the café's namesake, yet there's no clowning around in Coco's kitchen. Signature dishes include the chorizo, pork and rocket burger; the seared salmon marinated with wasabi and garlic-parsley butter; and the English breakfast pizza. - Top Table, August '08

 

 

• Full English Breakfast £4.95 (until noon)
• Spanakopita
• Merguez & Tzatziki pizza £6.50
• Clive's Spinach & Mozzarella calzone £6.50
• King Prawn & Coriander pizza £6.50
• Pepperoni pizza £6.50
• Salmon Capers & Coriander pizza £6.50
• Chorizo Mushroom salad £8.75
• Seared Salmon £10.50
• Greek Salad £7.95
• Peroni
• Champagne
• Fresh Orange Juice
• Smoothies
• Fruit Daiquiris
• Sours
• Cappuccinos
• Home-made banoffee pie
• Belgian Waffles
• Icecream
• Espresso
• Hot Chocolate