A cultural immersion into ‘nautical steampunk’, deriving concepts from the dystopian works of Victorian authors like H G Wells, Henry Longfellow and Jules Vern, The Lighthouse in Oxford embraces this creative aspect of interior design. What was previously a beacon for ships and an eatery for sailors has now become a cultural hotspot.
The abstract Victoriana light fixtures, dubbed the ‘house of light’, is a particularly popular attraction. Much like its previous function, the building serves as a meeting spot for visitors and locals alike to catch up over dinner and drinks.
The Lighthouse boasts four meticulously decorated theme rooms for guests to enjoy their food; the Galley – the main dining area, the Bar – a place for drinks and light bites, the Deck – built over a stream, a sun trap in summer months and cosy with the aid of heaters in the winter and finally, and the Boiler Room – the most lavishly decorated steam punk room complete with an open fire.
Now you’ve chose your room to dine, let’s introduce you to a select few favourites off the eclectic tapas menu. To kick things off, there are the lamb skewers marinated in red wine with cherry tomato and mushroom alongside the croquettas dish – serrano ham in bread crumbs, giving you the perfect balance of tender meats and crunchy breadcrumbs.
Also featuring plenty of seafood style tapas, there’s the calamari a la romana, lightly battered squid with Mary Rose sauce and fresh lemon as well as the white wine prawns, marinated in an alchemy of coriander, olive oil, mild chillies and white wine, which are the perfect sampling of fresh fish.
For the herbivorous diners, try a combination of patatas bravas, hand cut potato cubes served with salsa and aioli, with the grilled Mediterranean vegetable skewers, a mixture of mushroom, peppers, courgette and aubergine.
The desserts on offer at the Lighthouse are also light and fresh, ideal after a tapas feast, with delights such as the strawberry Romanoff, fresh strawberries and orange with homemade cream and infused with a dash of Blue Curacao or the crema catalana, custard topped with a hard cinnamon caramel crust.
The Gourmet Card is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer