Restaurant – Hixter Review
As soon as you walk into Hixter, the latest restaurant from renowned English chef and restauranteur Mark Hix, you know you are going to have a good night. Ambient lighting, an upbeat soundtrack and a healthy buzz happily escape from the main restaurant into the reception. And despite the similarites in the cuisine – they are both steak and chicken eateries – if you are coming for a similar night to Tramshed, you will be disappointed. Aesthetically Hixter is relaxed yet intimate and cool. Exposed brick, dark wood furniture and red leather booths fill the room with flashes of definitive colour provided by the cool Brit art from Tracey Emin and Gary Webb. Downstairs, Mark’s Bar follows suit with the traditional bar billiards table and apothocary cocktail bar add to its underground charm and overall New York appeal. With thanks to Nick Strangeway, the cocktails themselves are where Mark’s Bar really shines. As evidenced by our selection – Hix Fix (£13.50), a sweet cocktail of Morello cherry in Somerset apple eau de vie topped with Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2004, the refreshing Stiff Upper Lip (£11), with green pea infused Beefeater London Dry gin and Kamm & Sons ginseng spirit, Somerset cider vinegar, cordial and mint – Mark’s Bar doesn’t shy from innovation and eccentricities.
Everything in Hixter is tongue and cheek, from the name (a joking nod to its Devonshire Square address and the ‘hipsters’ of nearby Liverpool Street) to the fun, sharing menu. Our friendly and attentive waiter recommended the Yorkshire Pudding with whipped chicken livers and cock ‘n’ bull croquettes which we happily obliged in order. Adding the De Beauvoir smoked salmon, we we’re not disappointed. The ingredients were well sourced and interesting whetting our appetites for our main meals.
Hixter is a steak and chicken restaurant so you would assume them do it well. And, thankfully, you would be correct. So much is their meat pride that we were even presented with a large platter of cuts to help us decide which too choose. Half a beautifully seasoned barn-reared Indian Rock chicken (with stuffing and chips) and a Sirloin Steak later and we were suitably stuffed ourselves.
Hixter is not cheap, but if you are looking for a fun night with an array of interestingly delicious and perfectly filling food, it’s is most definitely worth a visit.
For more information, visit hixter.co.uk,
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