Jacobs & Field

Now there is lots I hate about Oxford, and lots I love. One of those things I love about Oxford is that I am always discovering something new, and Jacob’s & Field is one of those places.

Since moving to Oxford 4 years ago, I have always lived within 20 minutes of this little deli, and I had probably seen it many times, but never gone in. So one rainy Friday morning, when C and I fancied going out for breakfast, a quick google search showed this to be one the best breakfast places in Headington.

The place is small and rustic, with open coutners, and fresh produce scattered around the place. The tables are mismatched and set out seemingly haphazardly, and decorations that adorned the walls ranged from tinned peas from Greece to road signs to well all sorts. In short, it was cool, quirky and homely.

We entered in from the cold and rain into the warmth. The place was busy, and we sat at a cute corner table near the counter. The menu looked great, and honestly it took us a lot longer than it should have to decided what we wanted. And also, I was surprised to find it was all fairly reasonably priced. Even the salmon dishes didn’t break £8. We settled for a mix, smoked salmon & scrambled eggs on toast, eggs royale (smoked salmon, poached eggs, toast and hollandaise sauce, like eggs benedict) and pea & mint soup. Oh, and of course coffee, tea and freshly squeezed juice.

You order from the counter seen above, looking into the open kitchen, one that looks like something you could expect in someone’s home, or maybe some old school deli somewhere else in the world. The relaxed atmosphere really did seem like somewhere you can grab a paper and a coffee, maybe some food, and spend a slow, easy morning, or, like us, wait out the rain.

The food came to us, the pea soup refreshing, but thick enough to fill, and served in a mug, perfect for someone who’s hands shake as much as mine. The mains came too, with the slight vinegar taste of the poached eggs mixing well with the lemon squeezed over it and the sweeter hollandaise sauce.

Mint & Pea Soup

Eggs Royale

Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Eggs

All in I was very happy with the place. Both the food and the feeling were simple and almost rustic, nothing fancy and well priced. Just what you’d want first thing in the morning.