The Gardeners Arms, Jericho, Oxford

Charming side street pub, greatly benefitting from finally ditching the Covid-era table service rules. Comprises two rooms, with the bar to the right of the entrance and a slightly larger dining room on the other side, with both parts traditionally furnished and decorated. With three of the four handpumps in use, I found Goff's Jester Brew 28 Glacier Pale, Hongi from Little Ox and Oxford Brewery's Let the Dragon see the Wolf (£5.30) in action.

I have to agree with Ian, below. This was once by far and away one of the best pubs in Oxford, but the landlord has stated in an article he submitted to the Oxford Drinker, that table-only service is here to stay - a sign at the bar apprises the prospective customer that conventional pub practices do not apply - meaning that in effect, this is now a restaurant with just two real ales. I won't be returning either. Shame.

Good Beer Guide 2021 entry. Greeted at the door by a thick rope. You have to wait for a server to come and show you to a table. This maybe because it is primarily a vegan restaurant, rather than a drinking pub. Put me off before I even went in, if I am honest. Everyone else in there was eating but the XT Animal RoadRunner was a decent pint. A pubby look and feel but not a pubby experience. I wouldn't return.