* There is so much exciting stuff going on this week I can scarcely contain myself. Must be something in the air. Spring perhaps.

There is a new cocktail bar opening this weekend at 15 St Clement’s called Be At One. More details to follow.

* The Nut Tree in Murcott is closed for six weeks for a full refurbishment of the kitchens and restaurant. It closed on March 15, with an estimated re-opening date for the end of April. Can’t wait to see the results!

* Shaun Dickens at The Boathouse in Henley is celebrating his second anniversary with a six-course tasting menu with coffee and petit fours at £40 per until Sunday (excluding Saturday dinner).

Call 01491 577937 or see shaundickens.co.uk

* 1855 at Oxford Castle, pictured below, is holding a Peruvian Night on Monday, April 13, at 7pm. Tickets cost £40 for the food and wine workshop – an evening of ceviche and other Peruvian delicacies paired with Pisco and wonderful wines presented by Peruvian chef Ronald Tafur.

You can fillet and prepare the fish for ceviche, make ‘papas a la huancaina’, enjoy mouthwatering ‘chilcanos de opisco’, canapes and eat like kings.

* The wonderful chef Lahiru Jayasekara, one of our revered recipe columnists, who headed up the kitchens at Weston Manor so brilliantly, has left.

He is currently on holiday and will decide his future when he returns to the UK. Let’s just hope he doesn’t leave Oxford!.

* More news on Thaikhun, the new restaurant opening in April on the former site of Cleavers (and, before it, Fire & Stone), opposite Jamie’s.

The restaurant brings Thai street dining direct from the food stalls of Bangkok, serving fresh healthy dishes created by an original Bangkok street hawker-turned business entrepreneur, Kim Kaewkraikhot.

Kim said: “We are so happy to open in Oxford and be able to invite local diners to experience authentic Thai eating just as you can on the streets of Bangkok.

“From my recipes which won me awards in Bangkok, to my partner Martin’s favourite dish – Khao Ka Moo (five-spiced pork on rice), every dish is packed full with flavours and has a special story behind it. We can’t wait to see the people of Oxford enjoying their trip to Bangkok, without leaving the UK.

“Our love and tribute to my homeland doesn’t stop in my kitchen, as we wanted to truly bring Thailand direct to the Oxford. So, Martin and I have lovingly hand selected most of the Oxford decor from a trip to Thailand earlier this year. This means when you come to Thaikhun you can be instantly transported back to my beautiful country.”

* Following four months of building, menu design and beer and wine tasting, the Perch Inn, Binsey, is set to reopen in April. Recently acquired by Jon Ellse (owner of Mamma Mia and Portabello Restaurants in Jericho and Summertown), the Perch will offer a traditional British pub menu with a seasonally-changing edge, along with a rotating selection of real ales and craft beers. A carefully selected wine list featuring a good selection of English wine will complement the new menu.

The renovation, including a full refurbishment of the bar, dining rooms, and kitchens, will allow visitors to rediscover this gem among Oxford pubs.

The new owners plan to take advantage of the Perch’s enviable location and space to host events including an annual beer and cider festival, folk festival and outdoor film screenings.