Pompette is an independent restaurant and wine bar in Summertown, Oxford, created by husband and wife team Pascal and Laura Wiedemann. Rather charmingly, the restaurant is named for the French word for ‘tipsy’, which nods to the playful, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere the pair has created via thoughtful French cooking served with style.
Inside, Pompette has a bistro feel with exposed brick walls, dark wood floors and deep green and burgundy leather seating, as well as a terrace to the front that’s just perfect in the warmer months. It’s an ideal spot for date nights, birthday celebrations or relaxed meals with family and friends.
At the helm in the Pompette kitchen is Chef Pascal, who has worked at some of London's most respected French restaurants, including with Henry Harris at Racine, before helping Ed Wilson to set up Terroirs in Covent Garden. The menu changes with the seasons, but guests can expect French favourites to feature alongside modern European influences. To start, you might fund snacks like jambon noir de Bigorre or house baguette (baked fresh each day) and served with salted French butter.
Star dishes include mussels with white wine, cream, and garlic; soupe de poisson, with rouille, Gruyere and croutons; a classic 'Pot au Feu', with braised beef cheeks, corn-fed chicken leg, ham hock and Morteau sausage. Desserts, meanwhile, might range from a classic creme brulee, or a selection of French farmhouse cheeses to Pompette’s much-loved Kirsch choux bun, featuring Griottines and warm chocolate sauce.
To drink, expect cocktails and wine, including their own, as well as Picon bierre, cider and soft drinks, all chosen to complement the kitchen’s thoughtful cooking. Pompette also offers an extremely popular prix fixe menu, available on weekdays at lunch times and early evenings, alongside a daily Apero hour and morning Petit Dejeuner.