The Nut Tree Inn Michelin Star Restaurant

Last weekend I visited The Nut Tree Inn in Oxfordshire, a 15th century, thatched, Michelin star pub/restaurant and experienced their exquisite tasting menu.

My first impression was that it looked really friendly and welcoming, this was confirmed when the resident Jack Russel, Freddy greeted us!

We were then welcomed in and offered a drink outside, as it was a lovely sunny day we accepted and ordered gin and tonic to enjoy in the lovely outdoor area, complete with fish pond and mini waterfall which added to the tranquil atmosphere.

I couldn’t wait to try the tasting menu as The Nut Tree Inn has been voted Oxfordshire’s “Best fine Dining Pub” and “Top 50 UK Gastro Pubs, No.17” and they have been awarded a Michelin star for the ninth year running. We went for the wine tasting menu as well that has been carefully paired with each course to compliment the tastes and where. The origins of the wine and why it had been chosen was explained to us at the start of each course.

The service was outstanding and the food blew me away both taste wise and visually!

To start we were offered a fresh bread roll from a selection including soft white baguettes, date and walnut bread and a few other options.

We were then brought an amuse bouche in the form of a cup of the BEST Lobster bisque I have ever had topped with truffle oil.

Next came a favourite of mine but a much fancier version, Buffalo mozzarella with an olive crumble which complimented the creamy mozzarella and ripe tomatoes perfectly.

The third course was beautiful tasting and looked amazing! Pave of Nut Tree smoked Loch Duart salmon with horseradish cream, pickled cucumber and Avruga caviar. The Horseradish cream and pickled cucumber cut nicely into the salty taste of the fish and caviar. This was one of my favourite courses in the menu and was presented beautifully.

The next course was Parfait of free range chicken & duck livers with a fig & orange chutney which perfectly complimented the full, rich taste of the parfait.

The fifth course was Olive oil poached fillet of Scottish halibut with a green herb risotto and sauce vierge, another course you could not fault and the fish was cooked to perfection.

I think the sixth course was my favourite if I had to pick one from the eight in total. Fillet of aged charolais beef served medium rare (perfect) with potato puree, pousse, wild mushrooms and Madeira sauce. Everything about this course was absolutely perfect, you could tell the beef was high quality and cooked to perfection.

Next it was time for not one but 2 dessert courses, one of which was quite unusual as it was in a real egg shell, ‘Chocolate egg’ which consisted of a lovely chocolate mousse, praline cream and salted caramel, what was not to like? I liked the alternative, artistic way of presenting the dessert in the shell.

The final course was a stunning Raspberry soufflé with raspberry sorbet, a lovely, sweet end to 8 stunning courses.

I would highly recommend visiting this homely gem of a restaurant, thank you to all the lovely staff and talented chefs at The Nut Tree Inn for a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend for a special occasion or just if you fancy treating yourself!