If you can name a pub in Oxford where you'll get a three course nosh-up for two, with drinks, for £30, let me know.

Because the only place I know about - The Radcliffe Arms in Jericho, one of the last independently run pubs in Oxford - may not boast that accolade for too much longer.

Oxford City Council announced recently it intends to sell the pub, which means prices will inevitably go up, and yet another pub is at risk of being 'breweried' - becoming generic and soulless. While speculation is still rife about the fate of the much-loved local, for now, it is business as usual.

WHAT'S IT LIKE?

Much of what's on the menu at the pub, fondly known to regulars as 'The Raddy', is as traditional as its wooden, black and cream interior, but while it boasts nothing fancy, it does everything well and offers an admirable selection from pizza to pasta, salad to steak, roast dinners and full breakfasts.

WHAT DID YOU CHOOSE?

We shared garlic bread to start, while perusing the substantial menu. I finally decided on the Ploughman's, and was pleasantly surprised when it arrived.

You see, The Raddy doesn't have any pretensions - it's essentially a sports pub, attracting a good mix of boisterous locals and hungry students because of its cheap prices and friendly staff - so I was expecting a simple plate of cheese and ham, some pickle and bread.

What I got, any posh restaurant would be proud to serve: a platter of the staples in addition to olives, salad, apple, tomato (beetroot is also available) and lovely warm bread. It was enough for two.

My companion had already ordered the Thai green curry, though, which once we had made short work of, we both agreed was better than anything from your local curryhouse.

The desserts were tasty and good value too - we ordered home-made cheesecake and apple pie. Although initially affected by the smoking ban (the Raddy has no garden), I think the ban does great things for pubs like this. No longer do you have to swallow mouthfuls of smoke with your food, which was especially the case in a busy pub like The Raddy.

SO IT'S A LAID-BACK PLACE?

Yes. Unfortunately, though, pubs like this - where you'll find grumpy old men putting the world to rights, students playing pool, young professionals mingling with older ones, everyone having a good time - are a dying breed.

So it's best to get down to Cranham Street sooner rather than later.

VERDICT: I'm sure The Raddy has its foibles too, but to be honest, I can't think of any. Garlic bread £2.00 Ploughman's £4.95 Thai green curry £4.95 Apple crumble and custard £2.55 Cheesecake and icecream £2.55 Bulmers cider £2.85 Non alcoholic Becks £3.00 Bacardi and coke £2.25 Two gins and a tonic £5.75 Total £30.85

4:48pm Thursday 23rd August 2007

By Jennifer Hough