Vicky's Reviews

We went along last night to the first night that wasn't a “soft” evenings trade. We were expecting chicken and beef dishes, a great bar and a stunning room. We got a stunning room, an incredibly expensive cocktail list and A chicken dish and A beef dish to choose from.

We had all the starters – 3 were on offer, the steak option for main course and 1 of the 3 desserts on offer (or a cheese option was available).

This is refectory style dining with the bustle and informal approach to service that is expected at a Hix establishment. The problem is that although everything we had was perfectly nice, it wasn't exceptional, or even what it said on the tin in some cases ( medium rare steak was served blue, utterly devoid of any moisture and none of the promised marbling; creamed cauliflower had been so thoroughly combined with Berkswell cheese as to have lost anything of the cauliflower…). Mainly though, we have had everything on the menu – what's to go back for?

I can't imagine how one would entertain there – god forbid take a vegetarian… I passed my feedback to one of the many many waiters who was involved in our table service – he took my comments in good part and answered that in 6 months Mr Hix would either be lauded as a genius…or not…

Some of the food here last night was delicious (Squid, Rump of Lamb, Pork and Bread Pudding), but portion sizes were very erratic (tiny lamb belly) and the desserts were over elaborate and not altogether succesful (Vanilla parsnip and Peanut Butter Ice cream). We live locally and would go again – the prices are reasonable, the staff were accomodating – but the menu is so short that it will have to change regularly to allow repeat visits. The room is full of nice artefacts but has absolutely no atmosphere.