• One of our favourite Oxfordshire pubs, The Greyhound at Letcombe Regis, has just been awarded two prestigious accolades, ‘New Pub of the Year Runners Up ‘ and ‘Best of the Best’ in The Good Pub Guide Awards 2019, highlighting the best pubs in the UK and chosen by the editors of The Good Pub Guide. thegreyhoundletcombe.co.uk

The last cork has been pulled, the last dishes served and the final tables cleared at much-loved Summertown restaurant Portabello. Owned by friends Jon Ellse and Dan Morgan since 2002, the popular restaurant and bar shut its doors for the last time on Sunday having been sold to a new owner.

Jon says: “The decision to sell was not an easy one to make. We have had a fabulous 16 years at Portabello but the time is now right for us to focus on new ventures. The new owners are bringing a very exciting offer and we wish them great success.”

  • Pompette Restaurant will open late November at the site in South Parade.
  • Bicester will be abuzz on Saturday when the colourful International World Food market Flavours of the World, sets up in Sheep Street. International traders will sell top quality artisan-produced foods from around the world.

Stalls will sell such goods as Italian sweets, biscuits, nougats, French cheese, cured meat, sausage, mustard and coffee.

  • The George Inn in Barford St Michael reopened this month after extensive refurbishment. Michael Regan has taken a 25-year lease on the bar, restaurant with terrace and nine ensuite bedrooms.

Head chef Alex has created a menu featuring pub classics, sandwiches and á la carte, using seasonal, local produce.

Michael is also the owner of The White Horse Inn in Duns Tew.

  • Brookes Restaurant in Headington is hosting a wine tasting session with Great Wine Estates on Wednesday for just a tenner.

Go to shop.brookes.ac.uk to book .