PUT this date in your diary: Jorge Fernandes’ Kitchen takeover at TVC has been scheduled for July 10. Local chef Jorge Fernandes is planning a pop-up night of Nordic-inspired dishes. Taking inspiration from Scandinavian super restaurant Noma with fresh seafood, delicate vegetables, light mousses and slow cooked fine cuts of meat, plus a coffee and hazelnut dessert. All paired with excellent wines and accompanied by a specially designed cocktail list. Tickets cost £40. See tvcoxford.co.uk

Another pop-up diary must is the announcement that Cinnamon Kitchen in Oxford is bringing Fire & Spice to The Kingham Plough this October.

Vivek Singh, executive chef, will star in the chef dinner on Wednesday, October 3. Joining forces with talented owner, head chef and Great British Menu winner Emily Watkins, guests will enjoy an evening of modern-Indian cuisine with a quintessentially British twist.

The evening will kick off with canapés then venison and date samosas with tamarind and coriander chutney; followed by rich clove smoked grouse breast with pumpkin chutney, earthy black lentils and pilau rice as the main. For dessert, a carrot halwa spring roll with clove ice cream with coffees, teas and petit fours. Vegetarian options include vegetarian samosas to start, followed by a delicious grilled aubergine with peanut, sesame and coconut. The three-course dinner is £45 per person. See thekinghamplough.co.uk

TOAD opens its first cocktail bar at Bicester Village tomorrow, serving top quality cocktails and a range of refreshments and snacks. Situated on the Secret Garden Terrace, its award-winning Oxford Dry Gin and Oxford Rye Vodka will form the base of cocktails such as the ever-popular Espresso Martini and the delicious Bramble. For purists, TOAD’s signature Gin and Tonic will be in plentiful supply. The TOAD Bar will open from 11am-4pm each day. A range of sandwiches, muffins, cakes and light-bites made by TOAD’s artisan chef will also be available, plus soft drinks, teas and coffees.

It never rains but it pours. A month ago The Hare in Milton-under-Wychwood was voted Best Pub in Oxfordshire in the National Pub & Bar Magazine awards.

On Monday night it won Best Pub at the Cotswold Life Food Awards

And it’s just found out the pub is a finalist in the John Smith’s Great British Pub Awards (results announced at the September ceremony). Huge congratulations. Full review to follow next week. See miltonhare.co.uk