Thursdays at Franco Manca, well it’s open all week and it’s the cool new hangout spot in Oxford. I have lived in Oxford for almost 4 years now, I am always on a hunt for places to hangout. Places that have a great atmosphere, are close to home and have really great food. Which is why when the invitation to Franco Manca came I was more than delighted.
Regular readers of A July Dreamer would have already read about Dinner and Wine Tasting at Franco Manca. It was such an incredible night of fun, laughter and great food and drinks, a perfect night. As always with on here we share our thoughts in doubles, Miranda and Lucy’s experience. Franco Manca is no exception and here is Lucy’s account of Thursdays at Franco Manca.
When I arrived the staff were so friendly, they quickly directed me to my seat with the rest of the gang. This gave me an opportunity to speak to other bloggers and the restaurant manager. I was able to gain a little bit more insight on the restaurant and the Franco Manca brand. If you’re familiar with Oxford, the restaurant is located on George street in Oxford.
Here are some of the things I learnt about Franco Manca:
- The chefs use Fresh ingredients EVERYDAY, which is ordered the night before.
- The olives served in the restaurant are imported from Italy, they are SO yummy!!
- Every Franco Manca has the same decorative theme.
- We were taught how to make our own sourdough pizzas and the best flour to use.
- The restaurant seats 60 people, which is totally crazy as the place doesn’t look big enough for 30 people.
Between the chatting with fellow bloggers and snacking on the amazing starters, it was a joyous night. Never have I had the opportunity to sample the food, make pizza and drink endlessly. The drinks were definitely flowing, the cocktails were limitless and the wines out of this world.
Thursdays at Franco Manca, the Drinks
When I arrived I was initially greeted with a cider to clean my palette before I tucked into the treats. I was then introduced to an applespritizer followed by variety of wines.
Though I am a novice when it comes to wine drinking I therefore tend to keep an open mind. I felt the wines we had were better than any I have had before. It was particularly surprising just how suitably adequate the wines were paired with the meals. It truly made me appreciate the wine talk we were given earlier and the importance of authentic food.
Highlights of the night; the Food
To start off we had 3 platters of; flat bread, salami, cheese, olives and salads with freshly made pesto. Even though this was classed as a starter, I was already starting to get full. This didn’t stop me from clearing my plate and digging in for seconds. If you ever get a chance to take a bite at Franco Manca, request this starter platter. It really feels you up, I got to the point where I was worried I wouldn’t have enough room. We still had the mains to come plus the pizza we’d later be making.
The Sourdough Pizzas
As some of you know, I am lactose and cheese is a definite no! As soon as I’d made the restaurant aware, this didn’t seem to be an issue. I was offered plenty of options some included vegan options, which were amazing.
- Pizza 1- Sourdough base with tomato, Courgettes, yellow peppers, basil and verdict = delicious! Even though I was having alternative options they didn’t seem any less appealing or tasty.
- Pizza 2- 2 different types of salami, ham, spinach and courgettes.
By the time the pizza making sessions was coming along, I was so full I needed the exercise. We saw the master at work, shared the secret recipe to a perfect dough. Then we all got to play and make our very own sourdough, it was such a coll process. We also had the opportunity to go into the kitchen, prepare the dough and cook it ourselves. It is a hot, fantastic and busy kitchen but absolutely incredible.
Franco Manca is perfect for perfect for groups, the food and atmosphere is perfect. If you haven’t been and are look for a cool new hangout spot GO, I felt so at home and welcome. The staff all act like a family and like a family everyone was so friendly you really feel at home.
Franco Manca
6-12 George Street,
Oxford,
OX1 2AF
Opening times:
Monday- Friday: 12.00-11.00pm
Saturday: 11.30am- 11.00pm
Sunday: 12.00-10.00pm
Rebecca Swenor says
Franco Manca sounds like a great place to dine. I love the idea of authentic foods and this place would be a wonderful place to eat just that. Thanks for sharing this awesome place.
Wildish Jess says
Sourdough pizzas?! Omg, that sounds so delicious!
Megan says
I love places that use fresh daily ingredients because you know you are getting fresh and typically locally sourced food. I am drooling at all of these pictures!
TheMummyToolbox says
This looks like an amazing place to visit! We love italian food so it would really suit us as well
kerry norris says
Sounds fab. Great that they import their ingredients from Italy. That mozerella ball looks amazing x
David Elliott says
The pizza does look and sound delicious. I love the idea of a sourdough crust. And the toppings look delicious. Sounds like a great place to go with friends.
Sarah D says
the pizza looks divine – I am a fan of PROPER pizza like this. yum yum
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
Oh my goodness look at that food! I am loving the pizzas
Jacqui Odell says
Oh yumm! I want to try the sour dough pizza! It looked amazing.
Ruth I. says
I love pizza with lots of cheese! But it’s great to know that they have options for people who can’t eat cheese. The food looks so delicious and the place is lovely!
Heidi Schilling Fowler says
I love the at you got to make your own pizzas. I love sourdough, but I’ve never tried it with pizza. Sounds amazing!
Stella Kashmoney says
I love the sound of the pizzas. They look so yummy.
Jessica Taylor says
Wow! That looks great! The pizza looks exceptionally tasty! I definitely need to try it!
Gingermommy says
This food looks delicious. I have to say that just looking at it made me hungry.
Alex BetterTogether says
The food looks sooo good! We love franco manca ❤
Rebecca M. Sanchez says
Wow, I have to say that everything looks so very yummy! I’ve never been to Oxford, so I can definitely see a visit in my future, and will most definitely make sure to check this place out.
Dahn Boquist says
Wow this really sounds like a great place. I would have easily filled up on the starters and drinks then would have stuffed myself on the sourdough pizza. Sounds amazing!
Terri Ramsey Beavers says
The drinks, the food, the fun. You have way more fun on Thursdays than I do. Id love to try this place sometime in the very near future.
mail4rosey says
I don’t think I’ve ever had a sourdough pizza. I’d sure love to try one though!
Battle Mum (BattleMum) says
Sounds like you had a great evening. I’ve never heard of them before but if I’m ever in Oxford I’ll make a point of visiting!
Nadia Martine Eian Koch says
The food there looks very tasty. I’ve only been to Oxford once, but would love to visit again and will make sure to check this place out.
Jayne says
This sounds like my kind of place! Fresh ingredients gets a big thumbs up from me. Nice to hear you had a fab time x
Amber says
Mmm, this place looks delicious. I love to eat and the pizza looks amazing. My mom is lactose free as well, so I’m glad there’s options.
Holly says
This sounds like a blast! This would be so much fun to do with friends. I totally want to go now!
Sarah Bailey says
What a great sounding place to go for a meal – I love that they use such fresh ingredients I always think that makes such a huge difference.
Michelle Gwynn Jones says
I was at a restaurant once, not this one, that taught the guest how to make their own pizza. It was so much fun.
-Joan Cajic says
The food just got me drooling here and I have nothing in the house, guess it’s time to plan on what will me on my menu.
Corinne & Kirsty says
OMG, the food looks amazing! absolutely delicious! I love that they use fresh product sourced in Italy everyday. Franco Manca is a place i’d love to go!
Vyjay Rao says
The Franco Manca looks like a great place to hang out in and have some lovely food. The fact that fresh ingredients are used everyday and Olives com from Italy, lends the place an extra aura.
Anosa says
I couldn’t agree more Vyjay, it is such an incredible place and we were honoured to be asked to be part of the event.