The beginning of this year’s anniversary trip. While the bulk of the weekend itself will be spent in London, the timings nicely work to stay over in Oxford for the night en route, seeing John Finnemore live at the Old Fire Station. It behooves me, then, to find us somewhere for a quick dinner nearby. And when you find an establishment named 100% Pasta, it’s really rather hard to argue with that. Thankfully, the name is a slight misnomer, and we are afforded wine and olives as well. The main event is a carbonara, because why wouldn’t it be? The ingredients list passes muster, no cream to be found (the only exception to that rule is the Loco Carbonara, which is so good it gets away with it), and it’s served in a pan as tableware, an affectation I just about forgive. It’s well apportioned, not overwhelming but filling. It’s sauced well, but what it has in richness it somewhat lacks in depth of flavour. I enjoy it all the same. Dessert is a rum baba, served split open and filled with cream, topped with a pistachio drizzle. It’s very rum-syrup-soaked, counteracting the density of the sponge itself, and is a charming end to the meal. A perfectly pleasant pre-theatre meal.