Oxford Tavern — Restaurant in Barrington

Watching Chef Alan Manchester create his incredible dishes in the behind-the-bar kitchen is like watching a great jazz drummer doing a solo. His area is limited but his system is compact and super-efficient and the man just never stops moving turning out dish after dish from his daily menu for hungry patrons. It's something to see.

While Chef Manchester is the heart of the Oxford Tavern his support crew are no slouches either, from Mixologist Arielle Manchester (Alan's daughter) right on through every other team member, they all work together well creating great food.

The night I was there I split dishes with my dining partner opting for:

Shrimp and Chourico Mozambique with offered generous-sized shrimp with chunks of chourico and one of the best Mozambique sauces I've ever had. The dish worked well and the chourico and the shrimp were great in that sauce.

The Local-Style Paella was also really good. Unlike many of the soupy, overly-rich paellas you'll run into locally, this one was balanced, and the rice was light and fluffy and the other ingredients were fresh and cooked for maximum flavor and texture.

The Ribeye Steak was just amazing. It was cooked to perfection with a perfect and flavorful crust and the interior was tender and equally flavorful. This killer deal on this ribeye was the generous dollop of house-made black truffle herb butter. It just put the entire dish over the top for me. Certainly, among the better steaks I've ever ordered anywhere. It is something I will return to again for certain.

A definite surprise was the asparagus. Strange right? Someone noting a side? It was THE BEST ASPARAGUS I HAVE EVER HAD. Deep fried a bit I am told and that seems to have made an amazing difference.

From the bar I had an Old Fashioned and my dining partner had a Espresso Martini. I can't speak for the martini but I will say the Old Fashioned was great. The lovely Arielle turned out a Brooklym-worthy cocktail there.

It took me a long time to get here but it was worth going? Will I go again? Damn straight I will. I now have a standing monthly visit with the dining partner from this visit and I'm bringing new people to introduce them to this local gem!

Nice job Chef Alan and crew - truly impressive food and cocktails. I want to see how many more diggity-dam-great dishes you...

As you enter this farce of a restaurant you are greeted first and foremost with a picture that has some pseudo good feels quote that they most likely picked up from target, and an ATM. The place fancies itself a fine dining establishment, if the prices are anything to go by, while attempting to match this facade with cheap art and an empty atmosphere. And of course a bar nestled in the corner, because the perfect aperitif of a 35$ entree is two tvs playing football in the corner of your eye. Please pick a lane. And speaking of that meal, it was a bland slice of swordfish with no flavor paired with basic mashed potatoes(practically unseasoned) and 4 pieces of asparagus, which was the highlight of the meal, especially when compared to the disgraceful excuse of a "chocolate mousse". This dessert was the perfect bookend, as just like the restaurant prancing around in the guise of something far beyond it's punching weight, was a grainy pudding they had the gaul to label "mousse". The service was lovely and without sin, something I cannot say about the disrespectful eatery they are unfortunately hired under. It's tacky and the food was barely seasoned, and i already feel bloated from the meal. Honestly there's more I could nitpick, but the bottom line is, do not be tricked, this establishment is not a fine dining experience. You could get better food at a shake shack, for a third of the price.

To the person who responded, i know you're watching, if that is fine dining id rather lick the dirt off a doorknob than ever experience your version of "fine dining". Have a lovely day at work, I hope you taste something...

Most weird and uncomfortable customer service!! Never will return again!!!! .stopped in after a long work week for a bite and a few drinks when the bill came put our credit cards on bar to pay since we live in the year 2018 and even girls scouts cookie merchants take credit cards, and some guy whom I presumed to be the owner came over to us and rudely said we don't take credit cards ! This is cash only! It's on the menu and the website .who looks at the website before going out to eat? This guy was so ignorant & frankly scary I was floored ! He yelled don't you remember 6 years ago when you were here its cash only! How narcissistic can one be to think a patron would think that far back? The menu has zero indication of cash only..... .I only noticed the very high prices for average dishes...With all the great restaurants in the area Riviera, RedBridgeTavern , Odenis do yourself a favor and patron somewhere else who lives in the 21st century and not trying to rip off the IRS by hiding revenue...and bonus our server got angry because she received zero tip...tip was the 2.50 surcharge at the atm and the unfinished glass of wine I left due to extremely rude...