Diners should be able to check out a new Italian restaurant opening in the former Mitre pub before Christmas.
Gusto Italian is creating a 10,000sq ft restaurant and bar in the Grade II-listed building on the High Street.
An estimated £1.4million is being spent on the transformation of the historic site which has been vacant since 2019.
This will be the chain's 14th site and they spent a long time searching for the right location, said Gusto Italian CEO Matt Snell.
"Based on the city, the marketplace and the people, we think it’s going to be a great match. We believe there is a gap in the dining-out scene for a premium, experiential, yet relaxed Italian restaurant.
"The response we’ve had from people in Oxford has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re looking forward to opening.
“The Mitre was everything we were looking for in a venue."
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The ground floor of the 170-covers restaurant will have a theatre kitchen and cocktail lounge. Upstairs will be a first-floor private dining space with cosy cocktail bar.
Mr Snell said: "Our popular ‘dine under the olive trees’ experience and open plan theatre kitchen will be key features of the dining room.
"Guests will also be treated to our immensely popular and fun Pizza Experience. Oxford will only be the fifth restaurant where we have launched it so far.
"The Pizza Experience is perfect for a group of friends celebrating, or a team night out.
"Guests will be treated to drinks and antipasti on arrival, try out our trademark dough petals, before learning how to ball dough and create their own sourdough pizza with our pizza chef.”
The restaurant will be open for lunch, dinner and drinks every day of the week and brunch at the weekends. Mr Snell hopes the cocktail lounge will become a destination for drinks in the city.
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The "contemporary a la carte" menu will feature Gusto Italian classics with set menus available for larger parties. Guests in the private dining room will be able to choose from new special set menus, exclusive to Oxford.
The wine list features 50 Italian wines from specially selected Italian producers and suppliers as well as Italian beer.
Some 85 permanent job opportunities are available at the new restaurant, including sous chefs, chef de partie, hosts, servers, kitchen porters and bar staff.
Mr Snell said: “We want to attract the best local talent to be part of the team in Oxford. We pride ourselves on creating a fun and rewarding work environment which we believe gets the best out of our team. We’re a big family."
Before Gusto took over, the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA expressed concern The Mitre building, which is owned by Lincoln College, was looking shabby.
Mr Snell said: “It is a beautiful building that is steeped in history. We know how important it is to the people of Oxford, so we are making every effort to preserve the integrity of the original site as we restore it to its former glory.
“We went through a six-month planning process with Oxford City Council conservation team to ensure we protected the building at all costs."
The opening date is currently being finalised but Mr Snell said they look forward to announcing it very soon.
"It will be before Christmas and we look forward to welcoming everyone through the doors when we finally open," he said.
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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris
Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail
Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail
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