Brasserie Blanc - Oxford

The original branch of Raymond Blanc's chain of flexible Gallic brasseries started life as Le Petit Blanc before the name was re-branded. It is ideally placed a short stroll from the bustle of Oxford city centre in the heart of the lively Jericho district. 'Real French food close to home' is its motto and the whole place works to a well-tried format involving speedy lunches, fixed-price deals and a genuinely positive attitude towards children.

Raymond Blanc's fingerprints are obvious throughout the menus, which embrace such things as Maroilles cheese soufflé with pears and walnuts, hot-smoked Loch Duart salmon fishcake with butter sauce, roast duck breast with orange and lime sauce, and desserts such as lemon parfait with cherry coulis - not forgetting the croustillant of ice creams and sorbets.

The wine list favours forward-looking French producers and reflects M. Blanc's interest in the current winemaking renaissance. For details of other branches, visit the Brasserie Blanc website.