Review on Branca

A high-octane atmosphere, friendly service, all-day opening and good-value menus make Branca, this animated Italian brasserie a hit with the Oxford university crowds – but all-comers enjoy its unstuffy approach.

The menu covers a lot of ground, taking in starters of pumpkin soup with Taleggio crostini ahead of mains like roast duck breast with braised lentils and balsamic reduction or grilled sea bass with salsa verde. Stone-baked pizzas, pasta dishes and risottos are also strong runners, and proceedings end indulgently with hazelnut and praline semifreddo or rich chocolate torta. Fixed-price deals include a free drink, and the pint-sized list of a dozen regional Italian wines provides gutsy drinking by the glass or 500ml 'pot'.

Branca is also featured in: Michelin Guide, Good Food Guide, Hardens

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Facilities at Branca

Childrens menu
Alfresco dining
Disabled access
Partial disabled access
Private parties
Vegetarian menu
150 covers
Family Friendly

Branca Sample Menu

SAMPLE MENU

STARTERS
black olive tapenade, artichoke 'pate', houmous
radishes, crispy flatbread v 6.50
crispy fried squid, fennel and frisée salad 7.25
king prawn bruschetta, lemon, aioli and spring onion 7.50
chicken liver patè, iberico chorizo, parma ham,
flatbread, celeriac+chickpea coleslaw 7.75

SALAD small large
rare grilled tuna niçoise, new potatoes, green beans
olives+anchovies** 9.50 16.50
soft windrush valley goats cheese with beetroot,
purple sprouting broccoli, roasted squash, peppers,
baby red chard, lentil vinaigrette v 7.25 12.75
free range corn-fed chicken caesar with
crispy pancetta, soft boiled egg 8.50 13.75

RISOTTO small large
pea, broad bean, buffalo mozzarella, watercress
and pumpkin seed pesto v 9.00 13.50
smoked salmon, samphire, dill+horseradish
crème fraîche 9.25 14

STONE BAKED PIZZA
our pizzas are now available to take away, ALL 25% DISCOUNT,
phone the restaurant and allow 15 mins before collection
margherita - mozzarella, tomato sauce, parmesan+basil v 10
puttanesca - anchovies, olives, capers, chilli, mozzarella 12
roast aubergine, baby tomatoes, peppers, goats cheese,
mozzarella, basil almond pesto v 12.50
pepperoni, fontina cheese, chilli, spinach 12.75
salami cured coppa ham, hot pickled peppers,
mozzarella, parmesan 12.75
half and half of any two** 13

PASTA small large
fresh tagliatelle, wild mushroom, spinach,
goats cheese+cream v 8 14
linguine, king prawns, pistachio, rocket, chilli, lemon 9.50 14
spaghetti bolognese (av. gluten free) 8 12.50

LUNCH £9.25
Monday-Friday 12.00-5.00pm
Choose either a small pizza, pasta, salad, risotto or starter
with either a small glass of house wine,draught peroni, soft drink
LUNCH OR EARLY SUPPER, 2 course £14
Monday-Thursday 12.00-7.00pm, Friday-Saturday 12.00-5.00pm
Choose two from the following: starter, small pizza, pasta, salad,
risotto or pudding with a small glass of house wine, draught peroni,
soft drink.
Or sirloin minute steak, choice of fat or skinny chips, gls of wine £14
Excluding bank holidays, specials and items marked**

FISH
fillet of sea bream, saffron+chive risotto,
shrimp and pine nut butter 17
organic salmon+smoked haddock fishcakes,
baby gem+avocado, tartare sauce 13.75
today's fish, please see blackboard

MEAT
most dishes take 25 minutes preparation
free range corn-fed chicken, sautèed potatoes, aioli,
red wine sauce 15
duck breast (served pink), crispy gnocchi, curly kale,
balsamic jus 17
chargrilled lamb steak, salsa verde, salad of aubergine,
crispy chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, spring onion 15
8oz burger (served medium) fully garnished, brioche bun,
choice of skinny fries or fat triple cooked chips 13.50
swiss comte, smoked cheddar or bacon 1

STEAKS
served with roast cherry tomatoes+crispy shallots, choice of
red wine, bèarnaise or green peppercorn sauces and skinny fries or
fat chips
4oz sirloin minute 14
8oz rump 19
SIDES
fat triple cooked chips / skinny fries 3.60
spinach with lemon 3.60
curly kale with garlic+chilli 3.60
baby gem+avocado / rocket+parmesan 3.60

PUDDINGS
salted caramel chocolate brownie bites 3.50
three fresh chocolate champagne truffles 4.50
eton mess, strawberries, meringue, cream 6.00
lemon tart, crème fraÎche 6.25
warm banana cake, frangelico and hazelnut semifreddo 6.50
chocolate nemesis torta, clotted cream ice cream 6.50
mixed selection taster plate of the above three** 11

ICE CREAM OR SORBET £2 per scoop
very rich chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel, pistachio or praline
dairy free ice cream: chocolate or maple pecan
sorbet: mango, lemon or raspberry

CHEESE with grapes, biscuits+fig jam** 7
lord of the hundreds - mature, ewes, unpasteurized v
ragstone - soft goats, unpasteurized
ogleshield - semi soft, cow, unpasteurized

Restaurant menus often vary from day to day, so the above should be treated as examples of what to expect in terms of cuisine and price.

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Review on Branca

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