Ma Chérie — Restaurant in Vale of White Horse

5 stars - Sorry Throwing Buns, I’ve been unfaithful.

I used to be a loyal patron of Throwing Buns across the road, until one day, Stefanos (if you’re reading this, buddy… deep breaths) started ranting about how ma Chérie was “stealing all his customers.” Naturally, my curiosity peaked. I thought, if you’re gonna accuse them of theft, let me go see what they’ve stolen from you.

And let me tell you - THEY’VE STOLEN ME AS WELL. (sorry Stefanos)

Ma Chérie is what happens when a café and a fairy tale have a lovechild in Ukraine. The food? High-class. I took one bite of my croissant and started speaking fluent Ukrainian. The coffee? Brewed by staff who trained at an elite espresso monastery.

Now let’s talk ambiance. Whoever is in charge of the music deck? Chef’s kiss. I walked in and heard Agnes Obel softly haunting the air like a Nordic goddess, followed by Lana Del Rey crooning about summertime sadness. Play more of that and I will literally pay rent to sit here.

The owner is the chillest dude I’ve ever met. I don’t know what herbal tea he’s on, but it’s like gravity gave up trying to hold him down. He talks like he’s permanently on a beach holiday, I guess he’s a sunny guy.

The girl serving me? She smiles, but with the kind of sadness in her eyes that makes you want to ask if she’s okay. She radiates an ethereal and melancholic presence. I believe she views the world through a more emotional and symbolic lens, a rare yet admirable quality, that our society lacks. (if she’s in charge of music, that would explain a lot).

I like to read people’s energies-vibes. The owner is chill, no words could better describe him, it is like he’s living the life. Emma gives off a warm gentle energy, as if kindness were a person and also knew how to make a flat white, I cannot sense any darkness in her. Anna: She wears a smile, but her eyes tell a different story like she is sad deep down, and she doesn’t quite know why. Sophia is more pragmatic and utilitarian, she is less emotionally expressive and more practical, but her vibe does proejct a slither of darkness . And then there’s the old woman (I don’t know her name, sorry) but she’s almost as chill as the owner.

Walking into Ma Chérie feels like stepping into an enchanted palace, if that palace served sourdough toasties and flat whites. The walls are practically an art gallery, (and I’m not even kidding)

So yeah. Sorry, Throwing Buns, you’ll always have a bun-shaped place in my heart, you raised me. But ma Chérie awakened...

Ma Chérie, not My Darling! Poor Suni Rasim—he opens a charming new business in Abingdon in August 2024, yet does he realise that his staff behind the till won’t even sell a slimline tonic? My wife and I stopped by on Sunday, 2nd March 2025, at 3:30 pm, having happily visited before. We decided to enjoy a nice Merlot and a slimline tonic while sitting outside to watch the sun go down. That was until the young woman behind the till informed us that they don’t sell tonic. I pointed out that it’s a mixer and that we’ve had it with vodka here before. She checked with her colleague in the kitchen and, once again, the answer was no. Needless to say, Suni Rasim has just lost a good £15 or so today. Perhaps he might want to: A) Review the CCTV footage B) Consider retraining his staff—at least one of whom is actively turning away...

Lovely place, relaxed environment and very friendly and helpful service, accomodating of our toddler (with a high chair) and the most beautiful charceuterie boards! Incredible variety of flavours and just loads of lovely little elements and different flavours, presented immaculately. We also had a lovely pesto and pasta salad and a hot camembert board with lovely bread, figs and dips etc. My only suggestion would be a bit less salami/chorizo-type meats and a bit more prosciutto-type meats for the charcuterie but that's my personal taste. Lovely chocolate cake for dessert too. Thanks for a lovely meal,...