Survival kit for Oxford

Compiled by Y. Unno.

Another Restaurant Guide

General impression

First of all, there were bunch of Pub's in every corners. Most to all of them were very crowded. They served beers till very late, but be informed that foods were served only up to 8 p.m., which unfortunately usually the time looking for a dinner. There weren't too many restaurants in the heart of the city, yet probably the highest density in the city of Oxford. The restaurant frequently encounted was the indian restaurant. Below are the restaurants which I was.

Asian restaurants

Thai Restaurant, Orchid, Thai foods, Phone: 01865-798044, 58A St. Clements St., this is not in the city centre, a bit far but still is a walking distance, from centre go over the Magdalen College, over Magdalen bridge, on St. Clements St., over a bus stop, and there on a corner. This is comparable with the next "Chiang Mai"; the foods here might be a bit authentic (although I don't know what is authentic really), and the foods in "Chiang Mai" a bit sophisticated.
Chiang Mai Kitchen, Phone: 01865-202233. Thai food. South side of High Street, hidden in a small alley, near the Carfax corner. Better to make reservation. It was crowded when I was there, even on Tuesday.
Taj Mahal, Phone: ???. Indian food. Corner of Ship St. and Turl St., near Broad St. The restaurant is in the 1st floor (European counting). (There is another French(?) restaurant in the ground floor. Looks good but never tried.)
Chutneys Indian Brasserie, Phone: 01865-724241. Indian food. Corner of St. Michaels St. and New Inn Hall St. This seems a new restaurant. Still very good, but Taj Mahal would suite my taste by slight margin.
Opium Den, Chinese food, end of George St. Slightly better than the penninsula chinese restaurant. From the sample of two, my conclusion is you don't need to go for the chinese restaurants in Oxford. Thai or Indian foods are better in value.

Western restaurants

Le Petit Parisien, George St., near Appolo theatre, underground. Good place to be If you want an European flavour. You pay a pound or so more per dish for Paris' esprit compared with the dishes of a good asian restaurant.

Pizza house

I didn't go often, but in case you want to eat Pizza, I happened to know two pizza places.

Pizza Express, end of some alley towards the covered market on the Cornmarket St. near Carfax corner. 1st floor (European counting).
Bella Pasta, Geoge St. near Appolo theatre. Not too recommended, but in the case of emergency.

Places I would skip (after paying a visit)

Penninsula Chinese Restaurant, 21 George St., near Appolo theatre. Underground floor.
India Garden, High St., entrance next to Chiang Mai on High. This is different from the above two indian restaurants. This might be more authentic than the other..., but I would like to hear native's opinion.

Transportations

X70 Coach bus

Heathrow Central Bus St. (Terminal 1, 2, 3) to Oxford: 0250, 0550, 0630, 0700, 0730, (0800 Sat&Sun), 0830, 0900, Every 30 min., 2200, 2230, 2300, 2350
Heathrow Terminal 4 to Oxford: 0610, 0640, ..., 2210, 2240
Oxford to Heathrow Central Bus St.: 0200, 0400, 0430, Every 30 min., 2000, 2030, 2100, 2300
Oxford to Heathrow Terminal 4: 0430, 0500, ..., 2030, 2100

Rent-a-car (Car Hire):

Fransman's Self-drive Hire, 4 Lime Walk, Headington, Oxford OX3 7AE, Phone: 01865-763979. It is very popular among those who know it. Better to make reservation (well) in advance. The car is not flussy new, but you can't demand more if you rent, e.g., 2 weeks (It's less than 14 pounds/day). Two types: Fiesta, 19 pounds/day, 190 pounds/2 weeks, etc., Escort, 21 pounds/day, 209 pounds/2 weeks, etc., which includes no-mileage charges and insurance, and VAT (17.5%. Remember if you are non-resident of UK, it will be refund if you submit a refund request). Payment at rent is requested, no credit card. An extra deposit of 70 pounds is requrested to book/rent. X70 Coaches stop at Headington Post Office which is close enough to the garage.