I had passed it numerous times in the past, it’s previous incarnation as The Gloucester Arms – a hard core rock, goth and trouble pub – not being hugely appealing. But word was out that not only had the Oxford hostelry quietly re-opened as The White Rabbit, but that it had undergone an utter transformation and was doing food. When I say food I mean this in the most casual sense of the word, food to keep the drinkers there, food in lieu of a kebab, something other than peanuts.

And then came the magic words – pizza and Italian chef, and I was there quicker than Lewis Hamilton as a getaway driver, my derriere parked firmly in the furthest corner, tucked away out of sight, so that I could take in the fabulous atmosphere and devour the menu with my eyes.

Because there is no pizza stone left unturned in my neck of the woods, I’m like a sniffer dog in a cannabis factory, scratching at the door to be let in. And once in I never wanted to leave.

What was best? Was it the tiny intimate venue packed with a fantastically eclectic crowd all hunkered down chatting and drinking, like you’re supposed to do in pubs, none of this standing about in an ironed shirt malarkey, waiting to go clubbing? Proper chats and conversation and ‘groovy people’ as Rhys Ifans would say. Or was it the young, enthusiastic management who took on yet another dodgy Oxford city centre pub and turned it into somewhere you actually want to go? Or even the decor – laid back and fun – the prices (£5 for a margarita), or just the fact that The White Rabbit is so quintessentially Oxford in a non-touristy sort-of-way? Who knows, but I loved it.

I also loved the fact that, despite being situated on Friars Entry, a stone’s throw from George Street – home of the chain pizza – the White Rabbit went for an Italian menu anyway. It’s a brave stand that is already reaping rewards.

It didn’t take long to order, the menu being dough balls, garlic bread a couple of specials (soup of the day and chorizo and chickpea stew) or pizza. There are five pizza choices: margherita, Americana, spice beef, spagnolo or goats cheese, and it comes whole or cut. That’s it, from 12pm-3pm and 6pm-9pm, so you don’t need to leave the pub at all.

And why would you? Our pizzas arrived about five minutes later; big, oozy, crispy, perhaps a bit overly cheesed, but utterly delicious and the perfect accompaniment to a pint. Sometimes a margherita is enough, but the Americana was more interesting and I’d go for something more elaborate next time.

Yup, the White Rabbit pizzas ticked all the boxes and I will never go mainstream again. George Street just lost another customer. Justice at last.

  • The White Rabbit is at Friars Entry (Gloucester Green end), Oxford Call 01865 241177