Portabello Restaurant, 7 South Parade, Summertown. 01865 559653

A fellow Aussie friend and I decided to try Portabello on her last night in Oxford.  This establishment had only been open a week, but it was already attracting large numbers and it was busy when we arrived (without a reservation) on a Thursday night. The atmosphere is great - relaxed but classy.  The casual yet stylish uniforms of the staff looked great and the little touches in terms of decoration contribute to the overall feel. The menu is varied and affordable and there is a good range of beverages to choose from.  However, what impressed me most about this restaurant was the service!  It was flawless.  The staff were friendly, the service prompt and you always felt well attended to, which was a first in my four months in the UK. The food was excellent and served quickly and my friend and I were left to enjoy our meal and our drinks and soak up the great atmosphere of this new restaurant.  Dessert and more drinks were offered, and when it came time to pay the bill, it was easy to pay quickly without trying to flag a waiter down and wait forever for the bill. I was so impressed I commented on the service, and when I returned the following night with another friend (it was so good I couldn't stay away), the staff actually remembered me and I received a warm welcome. If you're looking for an affordable meal in a great restaurant, you can't go past Portabello.  It's worth it for the service alone!  Other UK restaurants could learn a thing or two about how to treat their customers from the staff at Portabello.

Jenni Johns