Branca

Opened in late 2000, this large & lively Italian brasserie in Oxford’s artsy Jericho area has become popular with local trendies. There’s plenty of choice on the menu: king prawn bruschetta with lemon, aioli & spring onion, or stone-baked pizzas topped with fontina & chilli, say, or perhaps goats cheese, roast tomato & basil pesto, as well as smoked haddock risotto, salmon & pancetta fishcakes or lamb shank with celeriac mash. Finish up with traditional desserts such as pannacotta & tiramisu.