This former banking hall mixes good quality food with modern styling, making it an ideal venue for a hearty meal or a pleasant drink on a summer's evening.

The Venue
Quod Restaurant and Bar is on Oxford's picturesque high street, within easy walking distance of some of the nicer 'out of the way' shops, various colleges and some decent bars. It's part of the Old Bank Hotel, so it has free car parking - a huge boon if you are used to traipsing in from the park and ride.

A large open-plan dining area complete with a free standing central bar gives way to a spacious terrace at the rear. The decor is modern and stylish with interesting art from young and promising artists scattered around the walls.

The People
Almost invariably full and with a lively buzz of conversation, you'll find a cross-section of Oxford here with a weekend bias towards students out for lunch with visiting families. Staff are polite and efficient, if a little robotic, but all things considered Quod Restaurant and Bar is a very pleasant place to be.

The Food
With several menus to choose from it would be difficult to pidgeonhole Quod's cuisine, the options available are many and (perhaps too) varied. Breakfast is served until 10.30am and includes traditional fare such as the full English at a hefty £12.95 (coffee and juice is included) and a continental option at £10.95.

A set lunch menu offers two courses for £10 with options such as mushroom ravioli and beef bourguignon, but is perhaps too limited in scope. The bar menu offers snacks such as a bucket of prawns, merguez sausages and quails eggs at around the £4 to £7 but most diners will gravitate to the extended a la carte.

The a la carte menu is extensive and offers something for everyone - the starters range from an excellent crispy chilli squid, via a spicy lamb and chickpea soup and a well put together pumpkin risotto, to Jersey crab with fennel salad.

There are a range of steaks, a selection of very creative pizzas - pear, spinach, pecorni and pinenuts to name just one. Salads and a range of substantial mains include everything from a succulent belly of pork with red cabbage to a roasted pollack fillet in a herb crust.

If you fail to find what you want on the menu, you will find a range of specials available on the boards. An attractive selection of puddings finishes proceedings with individual options such as pannacotta and treacle sponge or sharing puddings such as the one and only knickerbocker glory.

Expect to pay £20 or more for two courses or £25 or more if you add a third (and even more if you have a steak).

The Drink
An excellent selection of wines including both Old World and New ensures there's something for everyone. Prices start from £14 for a reasonable bottle of Vin De Pays and go up to £30 for the marvellous Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir.

A good selection of beers (£4 and up) and soft drinks is available for the non wine drinkers ,and they offer a reasonable cocktail menu (around £6 a pop) which unfortunately the staff can find challenging at times.

They also hold Martini evenings from Monday to Saturday where you can get a Martini for £4 between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

The Last Word
It's not exceptional, but Quod Restaurant and Bar provides a solid and pleasant dining experience, and you'll be well looked after and well fed. If any criticism can be levelled, it is that they're trying to be all things to all people. Cutting down the range may pay dividends in terms of quality and menu coherence.

venue information venue map view oxford review user reviews (3) image gallery (6)