A neighbourhood bistro in Oxford has announced the launch of its debut, French-inspired cookbook.
Pompette in Summertown, named after the French word for tipsy, has been a staple in the area since its launch in 2018.
Known for its home-cooking style dishes rooted in classical French cuisine but drawing influence from across Europe, the restaurant is now giving customers the chance to bring a flavour of Pompette into their own kitchens.
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Owners Pascal and Laura Wiedemann have put their extensive restaurant experience into their debut cookbook to “take readers on a journey through classical European cuisine”.
Pascal and Laura Wiedemann with their new cookbook, Pompette(Image: Pompette)
It also tells the story behind the restaurant’s founding, including kitchen trials, pandemic pivots and the pursuit of a new life built on the pair’s shared passion.
Before moving to Oxford, Mr Wiedemann worked in London restaurants for more than 14 years, beginning his career with Henry Harris at Racine and then going on to open Terroirs with Ed Wilson, before opening Six Portland Road.
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The couple both have roots in France. Mr Wiedemann’s father is French, and some of his wife’s family live there too.
Pompette has a revolving menu which changes daily, but dishes also prioritise “simplicity and comfort, French classics and quality produce”.
The Pompette menu changes daily(Image: Pompette)
At the same time as launching their debut cookbook, the Wiedemanns embraced the opportunity to create their own wine for Pompette in collaboration with Daniel Isley, the director of wine at Maison Francois and Cafe Francois.
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Mrs Wiedemann said: “Daniel was opening Cafe Francois and decided to look into making their own-brand wine for the restaurant.
“We were chatting over lunch about it and he said he could do it for us, too. A chance which I jumped at immediately.”
Three new wines, Pompette Blanc, Pompette Rouge, and Pompette Clairet, are available to purchase at the restaurant, and the owners hint that nationwide delivery will be available soon.
Pompette has launched three own-brand wines(Image: Pompette)
As well as their own brand, a concise, mainly European wine list is ready to be paired with the daily menu by the glass or carafe.
Pompette’s success in establishing itself as a neighbourhood restaurant when it is relatively new onto the North Oxford scene can be at least partly attributed to its cosy feel.
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It is designed as a modern take on the classic French bistro, with a colourful dining room, bar and terrace to the front, a partially open kitchen and a private dining room upstairs.
The new cookbook features Pompette favourites and real bistro staples like their fish soup, duck confit and crème brûlée, plus a popular charcuterie section featuring Pascal’s terrines, rillettes and pâté en croûte.
The book is available to pre-order via the Pompette website for deliveries from December 1, priced at £45.
Dining and Cooking