* It’s all go in the food world this week with Cote opening on George Street on Monday. The French brasserie style restaurant says it is ‘unashamedly midmarket’ and aims to provide great French food, a chilled atmosphere, amazing service and excellent value. And since the demise of Chez Gerard, a new fresher French restaurant is just what’s needed in Oxford’s version of Little Venice. Cote have been looking to open in Oxford for a while, and now’s their chance. It will certainly give Cafe Rouge and Pierre Victoire on Little Clarendon Street a run for their money. Vive la France.

*  The Red Lion in Gloucester Green has also had a makeover. No longer are the bar and restaurant mixed together - there’s a new plate glass wall separating the two, presumably to give the diners a bit more space, away from the jostling drinkers.

* The Bear’s revamped brasserie in Woodstock is open, with its fine dining side The Silk Glove following suit in early December, watch this space for a review soon. Marco Pierre White has taken over the Black Boy in Milton under his Wheelers umbrella.

* In terms of eating out, we had some really superb food in the new Summertown Mamma Mia after the Bond film opening on Friday, when it was absolutely rammed. There were 13 of us and the pizza and canneloni were absolutely delicious, quick and great value. To be recommended if you’re out at a Christmas show or film over the next few months. But make sure you book because people were queueing out of the door.

* A Sunday meal in Brothertons in Woodstock, where we spotted Sam Mendes and Rebecca Hall recently, was less of a success, the pizza toppings being piled in the middle, leaving enormous amounts of floury base around the edge. Disappointing.

* And finally, a 40th in The Living Room was superbly managed on a massively busy Saturday night, the service was impeccable and the food better than remembered, which admittedly isn’t saying much. But a word to the barman – there is nothing good about cherry or wild fruit flavoured whisky. Nothing good at all.