Hix

Our overall experience at Hix restaurant was very average. Driven by disappointing food and lacklustre service…but hey, the bar is cool.

We arrived for a 9:30pm booking, and we could already see by the line of people that they were overbooked. They were running late and asked us to have a drink at the bar while we wait for our table. The bar is very cool, small and intimate with an art deco feel.The music was also laid back and jazzy. But with no seats left we stood standing in the middle of the room, twiddling our thumbs wondering what to do. We eventually got the attention of a waitress who took our orders. The cocktails were decent, the atmosphere great and environment nice (if you can get a seat.)

Our waitress finally called us up into the restaurant, and we finally got seated at 10pm. We ordered an entree to share which was the special, the dumpling prawns; which sounded nice, but after waiting 30 minutes for it, we were disappointed to see that it came out as deep fried prawns, with batter so thick and lathered, that's all you could taste. It's the kind of grub you would get at a takeaway fish shop. We were starving by this stage so really hoping that the mains would be great. My goose salad was incredibly average, and my fiancés steak was good and cooked well, but came with nothing else. The highlight of my food was the side dish of cauliflower cheese…

All in all, this restaurant was ok, certainly not worth the reviews it has been getting. More style then substance. If you go, I recommend the bar instead or stick to the steaks. But if you want great british cuisine with loads of flavour and good value for money go to Tom's kitchen! By far the leader in this british genre of restaurants.

I enjoy my last visit to this restaurant, it has an intimate decor, interesting windows that allow for privacy in this particular area of town, not too snazzy, but interesting art exposed. The bar downstairs is very nice, it has a dark presence contrasted with mirror panels. It has somehow a decadent Parisian feel to it. The service was good and the food was good English food with a modern twist.

Have to say, went to Hix last night after reading many raving reviews and was very disappointed with the quality and delivery of the food. The food is overpriced and in my opinion overrated. Load, shouty atmosphere as if I were in wagamama. Ordered crayfish which had no flavour added to them at the fillet steak of £40.

London is full of amazing restaurants and I would advise you go to one of them but not here!

When I arrived at Mark’s bar in the basement of Hix’s my friends had already been waiting for half an hour. At the time I assumed that they were waiting for me before ordering. I didn’t look at the menu but just decided on a gin gimlet (gin & lime cordial over ice) and my friends ordered their cocktails from the menu. The room is beautiful with a lot of thought having clearly gone into the height of the bar and chairs. I thought the NY style ceiling was particularly attractive.

Everyone had tap water and glasses on their table which was a good thing as it was the hottest day of the year and after twenty minutes our drinks had still not arrived. We asked about that and were told that it was a ‘complicated’ order. After a further ten minutes (I know because our table upstairs in the restaurant was held for us) we opted to go up and order food. Our drinks followed a few minutes later. I think that if your menu is so complicated that three built cocktails and one shaken cocktail take 30 minutes then a redesign may be in order. I could have ordered, gone to the pub next door, had a pint and returned in the time it took to get a drink at Mark’s. And I would have done that if I had known the wait we had to endure.

The menu in the restaurant is clearly designed by someone who wants the world to know how clever he is. I’ve worked in catering for ten years and still had a few questions. If your first thought on reading the menu is ‘I feel stupid’ perhaps that’s not the most welcoming message.

Overly complicated descriptions aside I opted to start the meal with a plate of heritage tomatoes with crab and chives. It arrived looking beautiful on the plate and tasting wonderful. As for the main course I decided on simple grilled mackerel with broad beans and tomato relish. It’s nice to see that the overcomplicated quality of the menu was not carried through to the cooking. Perhaps what they really need is just a good proofreader.

My friend ordered a medium steak with chips and a salad. What could be simpler? Unfortunately it was well past medium when it arrived at the table. I encouraged my very unhappy friend to send it back. Surely it was just a slight oversight in the kitchen that could be easily remedied. It did take a good few minutes to get the attention of a waiter but soon enough the problem was explained and the steak was sent back to the kitchen. The waiter duly appeared a few moments later to apologise and informed us that the steak would be rushed through and back on the table as soon as possible. I’m not sure exactly what happened next but a very helpful waitress arrived to say that the steak was not on its way back and would my friend like something else instead. By this stage the rest of us had nearly finished so she declined. A few minutes later the apologetic waitress arrived with more chips and salad. She said that the chef felt bad that my friend had not had enough to eat. I thought it a kind gesture. Unfortunately that was ruined by what happened a few minutes later when another steak arrived. It looked quite sad sitting alone on a big white plate and when it was cut it was even further past medium than the one that had been sent back. Was this poor cooking or spite? Having worked in many kitchens I can imagine the conversation that took place in the back. I could tell from the waitress’s attempt to hide her shame that this was not her first disappointment with the kitchen staff.

The end result was that we certainly no longer felt welcome and decided to go elsewhere for pudding. We asked for the bill. At £175 for one bottle of wine, four starters and three main courses it was not cheap. I can just imagine what it might have been had we been asked to pay for four cocktails and a well done steak.

Such a good atmosphere at Hix Soho, and no demur from the waiting staff as we faffed about working out table we wanted to sit at. I like a banquette, but my dining companion doesn't, so for once I compromised and we sat where he wanted. Drinks came promptly (and this was after 3 delicious Hix Mix cocktails downstairs in the bar – and on a school night too…) with fresh, warm bread and salted butter. Again, the staff were charming when we couldn't decide what to have – because there were too many excellent combinations from the short-ish but well put-together menu. Oysters, with spiced sausages, then veal with sage butter? Steak tartare followed by a Hix take on fish fingers? Girolles, followed by one of the cuts of steak or veal that you are shown, set out on a wooden board, befrore you order?

I went for the girolles and then fish fingers – a very sophisticated take on a tea-time treat. One was a straight fish finger, albeit with the kind of crisp crust that my kitchen could never produce. The other was a sort of deep-fried, battered piece of fish (gurnard, I think – but I had had 3 cocktails and a glass of fizz by then) inside fluffy mashed potato. Truly scrumptious. I could have ordered chips as well, but got side-tracked and didn't and just as well, as I was waddling out of the door as it was. My companion went for the oysters, then the sole with clams. Neither of us could manage a pud, or even coffee.

The service was charming, friendly and unobtrusive, the wine topped up efficiently, and the whole experience, on a dull Monday evening, very very enjoyable.

We had an early table at 6.30pm and enjoyed a quiet table, and very attentive service. The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We took a long time to choose, being distracted with chat, but at no point were we pressured. We had wonderful oysters to start, followed by the most delicious steak and baked bone marrow, the flavours were incredible. Summer pudding to finish was perfect. We were gently nudged that our table was required by the next diners, and a table was reserved in the bar downstairs, as we were left to pay the bill at our own speed.

A great, central restaurant, with loads of character and exceptional food.

To steer away from the Mark Hix repertoire is to substitute air with water. As the saying goes: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And so lunch at Hix Soho presents some familiar recipes from some uncommon ingredients, but what sets the establishment apart from the other West End troff is an attention to detail often over-looked by less superior chefs and restaurateurs.

There is a full-flexing of the Hix artillery, from his roots in Dorset, fishing, to more steadfast, British selections such as crispy pork (not nearly thick and artery-clogging enough to call a ‘scratching’).

So much seems to flourish from Hix these days that there’s barely time to reflect on his past achievements (Le Caprice, The Ivy, Scott’s) before some new addition or accolade is extended. Centering on the simplicity – yet fascinating – subject of British seasonal food, Hix presents an array of recipes that not only comprehend the seasons but also become a diverse collection of meritorious menus.

A rosy-pink hare salad with whipped artichoke had the marshmallow lightness of a nimble pudding; the fillets of hare had a smooth texture without being tough and giving the mouth a lunchtime workout, while artichoke puree added sweetness otherwise absent. Pork crisps were a carbohydrate decoration, beautifully curling before devoured with a crunching enthusiasm.

Fresh bread lay on the table, the warm, dough aroma creeping through the nostrils, and a circular knob of butter by its side just waiting to melt away.

The personality replacement in Hix’s absence was Richard Corrigan, who brought with him his own soda bread from the kitchen; however close he and Hix are, clearly it’s not an attachment that allows them to break bread, more of playground jest, “My bread’s better than your bread…” Still, the man exposes great gusto at the dining table, bashing the heavy-wooden table with his fists like hams.

I had a very good fillet of red gurnard (a sustainable fish we should be eating more of), served first-rate, the meaty flesh falling away easily and the butter absorbing in all the right places to produce a satisfying melt. Savory hints of the sea lay within the cockles, the small, meaty mollusks crunchy and salty, evoking childhood memories of poking fingers in rock pools.

Purple sprouting broccoli and pink fir apple potatoes accompanied the gurnard, perhaps two of the most peculiar sounding vegetable accompaniments? The broccoli kept its water content, which left a disappointing watery base when added to the fishplate, but the potatoes were bold, buttery cuts that oozed sunlight.

Buttermilk pudding with blood oranges was alive with summer colour, while outside – still in the throes of February – the sky dribbled its discontent on to an unhappy Soho crowd. Below, in the depths of Brewer Street, the citrus sting of grated orange peel on a domed buttermilk pudding cleansed the palate and seeped in a little sunlight and curling ambrosial blood orange segments, as ruby-vivid and teasing as Angelina Jolie’s lips, presented a Sanguinello smile.

8th May
portion size could be better.
Lemon sole with Cockles served with prawns (v.nice, but not cockles) apology received for not being advised. desert delicious but overpriced (jelly and ice cream)
Decor a little ‘cafe’ like but pleasant and tables not too close together

Very enjoyable night out. Service needs looking at, we were waiting 15 minutes to be seated, when they were very clear that we only had 2 hours, which always winds me up. They bought me the wrong soup as a starter, then custard instead of ice cream with the otherwise absolutely fantastic rhubarb crumble.

Loved the interior, not too crowded, art work a talking point, my favourite being the Fray Bentos mobile! Furniture and especially lighting were great.

The best part of the meal was the unbelievably good hanger steak. It was one of the best steaks I've ever had anywhere in the world, simple as that. It came with bone marrow which was lovely as well. My girlfriend had duck which was also as good as I've had anywhere. Value for money was good, I wouldn't eat there regularly but as an occasion it was absolutely fine. We spent £110 on 2 courses each plus a dessert for me, and a couple of drinks each.

You should try this restaurant with confidence. I'll be looking to go to other places in the Hix empire ASAP.

I like this place a lot – cool bar downstairs – have been for lunch and dinner a couple of times. Food is solid english cuisine – steak is good, the smoke salmon is great for a starter! good selection of whiskeys – one bad point – service is friendly however slow and need to be more attentive. However overall cool place, good food, perfect for when Im in town.

Arrived by accident, we had booked at Boca de luna, for 2.30 ( They had a meal deal on offer ) and were delayed.. Sadly they would not keep the kitchen going but arranged for us to eat at HIX.
So downstairs, in the bar area, rather than the upstairs restaurant area and actually really quite liked the atmosphere, so good start.
Since I am not a regular londonite, I cannot say whether the food was slightly overpriced, either way it was excellent , very well cooked, good ingredients, and pleasant service.
Wine list a little pricey, but again that could be just London.
Would I return, yes perhaps for a carafe of house wine in a comfortable environment.

We thought this was going to be a fabulous night out. It started out ok with the room being nice with a cool decor. However, it all went downhill from there. It took us 20 minutes before anyone asked us for drinks,. It took another 20 minutes before we were asked to order. The food was so so. The fish did not come with the extras stated in te menu. It was over cooked., The service was absolutely horrible. It was this typical London restaurant trying to be cool, with bad service, noting special about the food and filled with attitude. When we wanted to leave, and asked for a taxi, they said sorry, we can't help, just go on the street and it will take probably 30 minutes. It just was typical of the service for the evening – no concern and bad. I would never go back. Horrible place. Stray away if you can. Food does not make up for the terrible service,

Ate on the off chace on a saturday lunch.fun filled room with the tall ceilings funky artwork.Excellant service with a friendliness.Food is simple precise flavoursome excellant.Only negative was the snooty receptionst and that heavy front door!!!

I have eaten at Hix on a number of occasions, both at the counter and at tables, and both for lunch and dinner. Our latest trip was a late dinner. The restaurant was packed to the rafters. The space is such that this works pretty well: high ceilings and a big room, with tables, whilst close on the banquette side of the room, not so close that you find yourself in your neighbour's food. There is a bar downstairs too, which is more intimate, and which has twiglets as a bar snack, so can't be all bad.

The decor is enlivened by a series of mobiles: fish in glass, bits of wall, for example, which are all very cheery and conversation inducing. I'm not sure that I'd want to sit under the one that has a collection of bricks hanging from it though. It reminded me of Quo Vadis under the MPW regieme, so it comes as no surprise to find that they are Damien Hirsts.

Service is friendly, if a little dotty some times: our waiter brought bread, but then wandered off before we could order. The wine arrived after the food, having been sitting on the end of the bar. But lots can be forgiven when the waiting staff are so friendly (ok, the front of house lady was suitably haughty, and the cloakroom attendant engrossed in his book, but the actually waiting staff were very pleasant).

I'd misread the menu, reading marrow as bone marrow: having politely told me of my error, our waiter asked if I'd like bone marrow anyway as, although not on the starter menu, they had it and the kitchen could rustle me up some. It was lovely; scooped out and done with breadcrumbs, parsley and lots of garlic.

Alas, I had also wanted to try the squeaker (baby grouse) that we'd seen on the menu a few days before, but the (clearly short) season was already over, so had to settle for the full grown version. And very nice it was too; not too gamey, nicely pink and accompanied by an unctiously rich jus, some perfectly adequate bread sauce and (a twist on the classic game chip) some parsnip chips; a less deep fried, and probably far healthier, option.

To wash it all down we had a couple of carafes from the short but fine wine list: a Picpoul de Pinet white and a Terrasses du Larzac red.

The bill, whilst not small, wasn't as big as I'd thought, and represents pretty good value for this part of town and quality of food: the bone marrow coming in at the cheapest of the starters, and the grouse, never a cheap option, still not as high as many other restaurants are charging.

Overal an excellent place to grab a late night snack, with a buzzy atmosphere, good wines and big, flavourful grub.

I recently visited Hix for Saturday lunch, I had friends from America visiting and wanted somewhere with great food and atmosphere (and service!) – Hix ticked all the boxes for me. A perfect example of the best this country has to offer food wise, simply prepared with interesting heritage. Staff were attentive and informed, answering all our questions with ease. We had a great afternoon and I will be back without a doubt.

I've been a couple of times to Hix now and every time it's sensational. I recently visited again for a friends birthday and there were about 11 of us, which has in the past spelt disaster at many restaurants I've been to. But the service was once again so attentive and the food (we opted for the suckling pig feast) was not only dramatic, but was as every bit delicious as what I've eaten on previous occasions. Mark Hix's food always surprises me – there is always something delicious and unexpected on the menu. If you like eating out in fashionable places then this is one to add to your list. Its a great room without any restaurant stuffiness and easy going food too.

My Mum and my boyfriend and I popped in to Hix on Brewer St after hoping to have some oysters at Randall & Aubin (always a treat) along the street but were unable to get in due to it being so busy. We arrived at Hix around Saturday at 6pm and got in no problem, seated at a decent table near the frosted window. This was the last good thing that happened there. We were in a bit of a hurry so decided to have simply 2 cocktails and a glass of wine and 2 starters and a bowl of chips between all 3 of us. The portions were so small and uninspired it would have been comical but for the price tag. The chips were the best part of the food (although hardly a reason for going there) and both cocktails were so literally undrinkable they had to be sent back and replaced with others. The bill came to over £90. Never ever again.

The first couple of times I went to Hix I loved it. The food was great, the drinks fantastic and the service was lovely. But the last time we where there, they messed up our reservation and the waiter ( a blong guy with a beckham hairdo) was incredibly rude and pretentious. Although the place was empty he refused to serve us part of the menu unless we moved to a table of his liking and after trying to reason with him he just took off. The manager didn't seem to mind this either. The food wasn't as nice thit time either, let alone the whoel experience. I am truly disapointed with the place and the lack minimum politeness and service.
Never going back.

Hix Soho is the latest venture from Mark Hix on the former Aaya site in Soho. The head chef is Kevin Gratton, formerly of Scott’s in Mayfair, who retains the quality that has become expected from Hix restaurants. The bar downstairs, serving some great cocktails, is worth a visit as well.

We went here prior to a comedy gig as i had heard great reviews about the place. It was empty so early on but the place was getting very busy post half 6. Id recommend calling for tables as online it showed it was full.

For the first time in ages, I decided on the set menu, there were choices of nettle soup or black pudding to start, mains were guinea fowl or fish fingers, pudding was lemon bakewell tart or chocolate tart. My partner tried the black pudding and said it was very tasty – i just looked on in disgust being an unadventurous sort! My guinea fowl with garlic mash was quite enjoyable though i found the meat slightly tough. Fish fingers seemed ok but small portions. Pudding was a 10, decent sized portion and melt in the mouth texture. Partner's bakewell tart was similarly delicious.

Service felt a little so so because the waitress didnt seem very experienced plus there were a couple of mistakes in the order but overall a great bistro type place and i think if i went back, there was a really good selection on offer on the a la carte. The bill came to £50 bfor two which didnt seem bad at all for three course each (this was the pre-theatre). I really didnt enjoy Boppo di Luco nearby so was looking for a good alternative to this before a show so id really recommend this as a great pre-show option to anyone. I can imagine it will do great business.

Saturday night dinner with 4 friends. Lovely space, very warm welcome. Downstairs for a drink in the very nicely done bar/lounge first, but already full and nowhere to sit so returned upstairs to our table. Interesting cocktail list, but drinks took inexcusably long time to arrive, and three requests, one eventually to a manager which worked. But the meal was superb – starters, mains, desserts – all first rate for all of us. Service during the meal however was a big let down – clumsy serving staff practically shoving plates in front of us, always having to ask for more wine and water, a noticeable passage of time between bread, starters, mains desserts. It's a great little spot in the vein of other cool Soho newcomers Bocca di Lupo and Polpo that deserves to succeed but they need to slicken up the service to Wolseley/Scott's levels for it to be a well rounded experience. We will go back to see how it's doing.

Three of us had lunch here for our first visit and can be defintely deemed a success!

The first impression is given by the huge (10ft high I guess) wooden front door which is a tremendous quality introduction.

The room itself is well decorated with a intergral bar area where you can also eat. Tables do not have table clothes, which helps to provide a less formal atmosphere but everything smacks of good quality including the cutlery (not an item that I would normally comment on). The round tables for 3-4 are reasonably spaced. The tables for two looked rather close together but no more so than other places in the westend.

Service was attentitive and efficient without being overbearing.

The menu, which changes twice a day between lunch and dinner, is varied and interesting across both starters and mains, and between fish and meat (being a protein eater I didnt notice the vegetetarian choices – sorry!). I had ‘ Heaven and Earth’ to start- yes I didnt know what that was until I asked – black pudding with potatoes and apple – lovely! Followed by the haddock which was also excellent. One of my partners had the smoked salmon and then the beef shoulder with bonemarrow – both very tasty although he doesnt eat bone marrow _ why did he order it you might well ask as we did!

Our third companion is a prospective client and he did not mind being a guinea pig with us on the day and he was very happy with his food choice too.

The wine list is not extensive but more than adequate for most except those with a very particular requirement.

I was very impressed at this first visit and will definitely go again – i did wonder if I shouldn't grade it 9 overall but decided another visit was required to achieve that high a rating from me!

It would appear that Mark Hix has had the good sense not to completely redesign the perfectly good site that Aaya created (devastated that is no longer) but rather dangle Damein Hirst art from the high ceilings which may appeal to the local creatives. I was more interested in the warm mini loaf of white bread and butter pat immediately brough to the table with a compulsively ordered Bloody Mary (available in pitchers). Water offered for the table was still, sparkling or tap which will please the eco crew, and the menu was gutsy, original, British and carnivorous which will infuriate vegeterians. Even the crab apple and Parsnip soup probably contained crustacean. My main of Hanger steak with baked bone marrow was sliced beef, a mini trough of marrow, parsley, garlic and breadcrumbs. My Bakewell tart's crust also definitely contained animal fat which is why it was so tasty. Hix was busy, the courses came in quick succession but that was just my personal experience and not a judgement. This is a great place for a hearty meal without the shepherds pie and fishcake predictability of similar ‘British’ establishments. I shall return for delightful surprises.

As an ardent fan of Mr Hix; avid reader of his Independent on Saturday pages, high praise singer of his Oyster and Chop house, and over active user of the his latest cookery tome; British Seasonal Food, it naturally follows that I should head to Soho to delight in his latest offering to the restaurant scene. The restaurant itself, is a bright affair with a wonderfully wide and long counter toppped bar, ideally suite for the casual couple or solo diner. A mild opening disappoint as we were being seated, is that in booking for five – we clearly had a table for four, despite there being larger tables but with fewer diners. Note to self: book for six and allow for one no-show. No matter, as I glanced at the menu and noted the tell tales signs of a Hixian menu, well sourced , interesting British ingredients, and plenty of undefinitive items and even the cryptic “Heaven and Earth”. Drinks were some 20 minutes in the arrival; which for a Bloody Mary (exceptionally good), an IPA (Mark's own label, served in a tankard) and a couple of Kirs is a bit tardy. To the food ; opening the account with the drinks we took some of the Crackling and Apple sauce, an indulgent heart stopper of a bar snack, but warm, crisp, salty and sweet. Starters included a fish soup, the cured meats and mussels in cider and the aforementioned Heaven and Earth, a soft black pudding accompanied with mashed potato. All passed muster with my dining companions, plenty of ‘oohs’ ,' aahs' and ‘wonderfuls’. The main events were met with similar rapture; red deer chops, veal sausage, partridge and the hanger steak. No one likes a ‘dry old do’ particularly when you're paying for the wine and locating our bottle or more importantly the waiter trying to locate our bottle seemed to be a challenge fit for WMD inspectors. Nonetheless, affairs were brought to conclusion mainly by way of the Treacle Pudding for Two, proving not to live up to its billing in size but exquisitely so in it's content, and thus we had to go round again. Sadly I didn't get a good look at the wine list as I was accompanied by my more knowledgeable friend , who assured me it had interest and depth. Downstairs is what is no doubt going to be the hippest bar in Soho, at least until after Xmas, complete with club chairs and bar billiards. So, on balance, excellent menu and food execution, with plenty to tempt you back again and again, but let's hope that the service improves; a bit more efficiency and a bit more customer friendly. Perhaps on this occassion the presence of Messrs Coren, Parker-Bowles and Corrigan at an adjacent table diverted too much attention elsewhere.

Hix Soho is yet another blessing for those who seek good food and service. Obviously it needs time to smooth and perfection its act but knowing what Mark Hix is capable of, you'll see, very soon, an establishment that will compete for the very top. Just now its no-nonsense menu is captivating and to the point: I could go on describing every dish I have tasted so far but I do not wish to spoils anybody's expectations with my point of view. Visit, eat and then see what is all about.
Federico Spadafora, London.