The Punter — Restaurant in Oxford

What a find. This gem of a riverside pub devotes itself to vegetarian and vegan food and it’s popularity was evident with several “reserved” tables filling up as the evening wore on. We’d moored up outside a week ago but didn’t go in. We’re kicking ourselves now. We popped in early (about 6:00pm) and already there was a good atmosphere with a couple of groups in. The staff was smiley, genuinely friendly and attentive. We were spoilt for choice (unusual for vegans dining in a pub!) Even the ubiquitous “vegan burger” (usually “Moving Mountains” in most pubs) was homemade and gave a choice between a “crispy refried bean” and a “mushroom and lentil” burger. In the end after lengthy deliberation we went for the well balanced and wonderfully spiced “Ponzu marinated Tofu - with udon noodles and asian hispi cabbage and pickled ginger” and the rustic “Beer glazed cevenne onion with braised lentils, hazelnuts and roasted squash purée” Unusually we also had a starter (we just couldn’t resist the Miso glazed aubergines with crispy tofu and date and tamarind purée. Everything was delicious, served quickly and piping hot. Given a visit to a “swanky” overpriced Indian restaurant in Summertown earlier in the year it was brilliant to find a place on Oxford where the food merited the prices charged. I’d give The Punter 11/10 and 6* if I...

I'd heard so many good things about this place that I was really looking forward to going for dinner. Unfortunately my first experience was watching staff show customers to their tables without getting a single person to register or check in using the track and trace app so really not a good start.

The place wasn't super busy on a Friday evening but service was slow and inattentive. The most disappointing thing was the main I'd ordered: Vietnamese potato curry, which came in a small bowl of literally nothing but the curry. To make it worse, the kitchen had decided to substitute the cashews on the menu for peanuts. When I questioned this, the person who'd brought our food seemed slightly put out and had no idea what I was talking about but eventually offered to take the dish back to the kitchen. When the dish was returned to me, there was maybe (I'm being generous here) a teaspoon of cashew crumbs sprinkled on the dish as if the kitchen had run out of cashews but rather than be upfront about it, just scrape the bottom of the contained and pretend that hadn't happened. The food was put down in front of me as if that was how the dish was meant to be served and I was so confused I accepted it like that. At least my girlfriend enjoyed her food but mine was overpriced and...

It's fortunate to have a fine pub right on my doorstep. (22 paces to; 50-60 paces return.) The menu signature dish has been the onglet steak in the past, but (depending on which chef is on, which day) the other plates are mostly excellent. Gaffers will tell you the beer's expensive, but then it will be if your intention is to go for a drinks' session. Otherwise, as a social watering hole, quaffing just a large wine, or g&t, or a coffee even, it's brilliant. The ambiance inside is convenable for writing, playing board games, doing craftwork and occasionally listening to music. (Morris Men do their thing outside, closing off the street, come May.) Conversation is not intruded upon by background music, or large screen football games, or a pool table, or arcade machines. No, this is a PROPER pub. If the weather suits, then take your drink out onto the towpath and enjoy the aspects of Osney Isle. At this particular corner, the setting seems oft like a television stage set; a Gile's cartoon, with our cat rolling in the middle of the road of Victorian terraced houses, in the near distance. Whilst outside the Punter, people pet dogs and converse beside the boats and benches, supping their...