The Turnpike at Yarnton: A Review

We were recently lucky enough to be invited to the Turnpike at Yarnton, a small suburb of Oxford. Given the freezing weather outside, we were excited for a lovely pub lunch by a crackling fire. Here is our review of this lovely little pub in Oxfordshire.

The Pub Itself

The atmosphere of the Turnpike at Yarnton was very homely. It was surprisingly busy, which in my books is always a great sign. The Christmas decorations were also up everywhere, with tasteful takes on some classics. I personally loved the candles and faux fir trees on the tables; it made it super cosy.

Behind the Christmas decorations was the original aesthetic of the pub. The vibe was very country-chic, with beautiful exposed beams in the ceiling and pops of sage green and white. I also loved country decorations that were on display, including the monotone plant wallpaper.

The tables were also a lovely dark wood, which added to the overall ambiance. The chairs were soft, deep and comfortable, which were perfect once we had fallen into food comas. The pub was also open and easy to navigate. Overall, we felt at home at the Turnpike instantly and enjoyed being there.

Christmas Festive Menu – Starters

When we walked in, we saw the food and it looked amazing. We went for the three-course Christmas Menu, which featured some incredible options for just £30.95 per person. For the quality, quantity and presentation, this is amazing value.

For starters, we went for some mixed olives to share. I also went for the mixed pesto arancini, which was packed with flavour. It was lovely and crispy on the outside, but soft and light on the inside.

Jack went for the lamb koftas, which were served with tzatziki and pomegranate seeds. The lamb was succulent and just melted in your mouth and the accompanying sides really lifted the flavour. This, when mixed with a fresh Aperol Spritz, was just a perfect way to spend a Saturday lunch.

Christmas Festive Menu – Mains

After our starters and a short wait, we were greeted with our mains. It wouldn’t be festive without turkey and pigs in blanket, which is exactly what Jack went for. It was served with thick gravy and crispy roast potatoes. Alongside it were caramelised carrots and Brussel sprouts.

I went a bit less festive and opted for the sirloin steak with chips. I also had a peppercorn sauce, which was thick and packed with flavour. We both agreed that it was an incredible steak. The meat was anything but chewy and the fats just burst in your mouth. I could have eaten that every day. We also decided to have the trio of sides, consisting of extra roasties, pigs in blankets and sprouts. The Turnpike at Yarnton really delivered here; I will definitely be back.

Christmas Festive Menu – Desserts

Lastly, we had to go for dessert. I just had to try their vanilla cheesecake, served with caramel profiteroles. It was a dessert-lover’s dream. It was presented, alike all the food, wonderfully and tasted even better. The combination of the two desserts worked so well and I look forward to using it again for my future dinner parties.

Jack went cheesy too, but opted for the English cheese board. There was Coastal Cheddar, Double Gloucester, Shropshire Blue and Brie. He also received some tangy onion chutney and some blueberries.

Both of us really enjoyed the desserts and it was a perfect way to end the meal. It was a struggle though as we were really full by this point; the food was just too good!

The Service

The service was as you would expect from what you have seen so far. The staff were really friendly and accommodating. Our waitress, Amber, was more than helpful and always checked in with us to make sure that all was okay.

Our chef also brought the food out to us and briefly explained what was on the plate. I really liked this small personal approach and the Turnpike at Yarnton did amazingly in this category.

The Verdict

Would I recommend the Turnpike to a friend? Of course, I would. I really enjoyed our meal here and it got us right in the mood for Christmas. The food, service and atmosphere were all fantastic. The steak in particular was a bit of a game changer.

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