EDITOR'S CHOICE SPORT Reading demise could boost U's NEWS Skimmer 'copied 63 cash cards' Prince visits Islamic centre Driving instructor denies sex charges WHAT'S ON Festival endures to celebrate English tradition Strong cast WINE A wine masterclass from Australia GARDENING Mantra is to reduce NEWS Reservoir 'absolutely essential' VOTE Do you believe Thames Water has a good case for a new reservoir in Oxfordshire? Yes No GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Reading demise could boost U's 2 Skimmer 'copied 63 cash cards' 3 Leader brands pool queues 'unacceptable' 4 Update: Rail passengers suffer delays 5 Driving instructor denies sex charges 6 Prisoner threw boiling water over inmate 7 Dead lorry driver named 8 Rescued family meet fire chief 9 Floods 'could cause crash' 10 Teen jailed over drugs Today | 7 Days 1 Punches took away my husband 2 Mosquito devices could be silenced 3 Reservoir 'absolutely essential' 4 BlackBerry plan to improve policing 5 Plan unveiled to beat water shortages 6 Cannabis move sparks crackdown 7 Scrap thieves target car exhausts 8 Free Internet access 'to boost trade' 9 Relief planned at major junction 10 Train firm turning things around

Comment

I am delighted today to be the bearer of good news for everyone worried about the future of the White House, in Botley Road. This includes many of my West Oxford neighbours, and a good few of my colleagues at Newspaper House, for whom the place is something of an office 'local', as it has been, indeed, since our business transferred to this end of town in 1973 and I and other bibulous colleagues very soon found a home from home in what was then the Old Gate House. There were nearer hostelries to the office but - in the way of pubs in those days - they "didn't do food", or at least not food of the range and quality offered by the Old Gate's Tom Rice and his son, also Tom.

Closed since last summer, the pub was feared to be heading - like so many recently - into the history books. The combination of a large building, spacious garden and a car park - not to mention its prime location - suggested the likelihood that developers would soon be bidding to transform it into a block of flats.

Well, they will not be. Instead, a group of restaurateurs and their financial backers - the Solidaire Group Ltd - are creating a stylish new restaurant and bar, called Zaytoon, scheduled to open in the summer. As a press release just sent to me explains: "The restaurant will be elegant but relaxed and promises to bring top-quality Middle Eastern cuisine to Oxford. The interior of the building will be tastefully modern, with a touch of Arabic chic, while outside the walled garden will be the perfect place for al fresco dining. The garden will include an ornate marquee where a hubbly bubbly area will be a feature of the house.

"Inside, there will be distinct dining areas with informal dining in the tea room and bar. There will also be a deli and more formal dining in the main restaurant, including private dining areas for small and large groups alike."

The project is the brainchild of 45-year-old restaurateur Mounder Khouri. He flew from Spain when he heard of the chance to obtain a good-sized property with car parking and a garden in Oxford city centre. He previously ran Askadinya, a similar establishment in Jerusalem, which was popular with academics, politicians and journalists. He has also opened a successful business of the same name in Barcelona.

Mr Khouri said: "I am very excited to be helping to set up a restaurant in Oxford. I love the city's history and culture and I think there is a big gap in the market for quality Middle Eastern food. My dishes will be freshly cooked and extremely varied, with meat and healthy vegetarian specialities. There is more to Middle Eastern food than people think. We aim to introduce people to good quality home-cooked dishes that families all over the Middle East enjoy, as well as the mezze selection that people have come to love. Think of freshly baked hot pillows of pitta bread with delicious dishes to dip into, pomegranate champagne cocktails or mint tea - all enjoyed within sumptuous surroundings. I want to create an international atmosphere where people of all countries and cultures meet to enjoy fine food and wine."

I wish Mr Khouri well in his enterprise, not least for the security it gives to one of the area's most appealing buildings. For nearly a century, between 1776 and 1868, it served as a toll house on the turnpike road into Oxford, but parts of it predate even that use.

Interviewed half a century ago, the local vicar (and antiquarian) Father Arnold Mallinson expressed the opinion that the building might have been the tavern outside the great gates of magnificent Osney Abbey, or a tavern outside the west gate of the city.

4:08pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login