WHO has their Christmas do on a Monday lunchtime? We grumbled ignorantly, as we were turned away from the second place that afternoon.

It seemed as if the entire workforce of South Oxfordshire was spilling through the tinsel-adorned double-doors of their local pubs. In hindsight, we had picked a particularly bad location, in close proximity to the business hubs of Milton Park and Culham.

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The Packhorse looked set to deliver the same disappointment, with cars wedged nose-to-nose in the car park and a sign outside advertising Christmas parties.

While there was no space in the restaurant, which was buzzing with tipsy colleagues balancing paper crowns atop their heads, we thankfully managed to snag a table in the bar area.

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It was cosily decorated with Christmas lights and at least a couple of bauble-laden trees within my eyeline.

The menu matched that of the more formal restaurant area, capturing a range of cuisines - from Mexican nachos to Mediterranean mezze or wild mushroom lasagne.

There was also a good selection for vegan diners – I was almost swayed by the beetroot, butterbean and roasted vegetable salad.

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In the spirit of Christmas (when daytime drinking is both accepted and encouraged), I ordered a medium-sized glass of Côtes du Rhône (£5.50), and Tom asked for a half pint of guest ale (£2.10).

He ordered the chicken, chorizo and asparagus risotto from the specials board (£13.50) while I went for the venison steak from the main menu (£18.95).

We were apologetically advised upon being seated to expect a longer wait for food, due to demands on the kitchen, but it could only have been about 25 minutes before it arrived.

Mine was temptingly presented, with two plump chunks of pink meat criss-crossed next to a neat tower of layered potatoes.

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The rich venison was paired with a punchy redcurrant and port sauce, which was delicious but a bit too sweet for my preference, almost like a jam.

The meat itself cooked medium as opposed to medium-rare as I had requested, but it was still juicy and tender.

It came with a pear and celeriac purée and sautéed greens, which delivered a much-welcome hit of freshness.

Tom’s generous portion of risotto was the perfect marriage of spicy chorizo sausage, creamy rice and earthy mushrooms and asparagus.

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The chorizo looked unusual - more of a pink colour than burnt orange - but tasted good regardless.

Our bill came to £40 and we were also given a 25 per cent off food voucher, should we want to return before the end of January.

Despite it not being our first choice, or even our second, we were glad we ended up in the Packhorse.

The Packhorse, Milton Hill, near Didcot, 01235 832323.