4 /5 Aaron Frith: Aesthetically, OX2 gets it right — chic, leafy, and quietly stylish, with a wine selection that leans confident without being flashy. It’s the kind of place you want to want to love.
But beneath the surface, there’s a service gap that’s hard to ignore. You queue at the bar (often unattended), pour out your order, and then wait for someone to uncork your bottle without much ceremony — no tasting, no table service, no charm. Just a handover and a quiet hope you’ll carry it all back to your table without dropping a glass.
Meanwhile, staff are visibly active — watering plants, hoovering leaves — which is lovely in theory, but feels like a strange prioritisation when guests are awkwardly loitering at the bar.
There’s potential here, and I’d come again for the vibe and wine, but a bit more hospitality wouldn’t hurt.
