Hix Oyster & Chop House

I know better than to ask a hotel concierge for a restaurant recommendation…
I didn’t plan ahead and had no reservation but the hostess (who turned out to be the manager) was very friendly and accommodating. I ordered a gin martini and oysters. The martini was outstanding. The vast majority of bartenders across the globe have no idea how to make a proper martini. They learn in Bartenders Crash Course that a martini is a bunch of vodka and the smallest drop of vermouth. No true. But this was perfect, stirred and strained into a small coupe glass with the reserves in a carafe on ice. Lovely.
The oysters were delicious, but they didn’t detach the meat from the shell. At this price, that is definitely a ding, but a nit.
I was very excited to order the bone in rib eye steak. Granted, England is not the place to go to get a great steak. But something as simple as a seared rib eye? I thought it would be fine. It was the blandest rib eye I have ever eaten. Not a grain of salt nor pepper. They just threw a mediocre piece of meat on a grill and slapped it on a plate. Worse, they put sea salt in a salt shaker with a tiny little shake hole, and I could not get any salt out of it. The waiter just waived me off as crazy.
All in all, the food was not bad. It would have been an enjoyable dinner. But the service was horrible. I w as dining alone, and the waiter was clearly not interested in me. I sat 10 minutes before getting a drink menu. All of the wait staff seemed incredibly frazzled. But for all the rushing, I got almost no attention. After another 15 minutes I finally got my oysters. I ordered a glass of red wine for my steak. The waiter forgot about it and I was half way through it before I waived down the hostess to fetch me a glass of wine. I finishes the steak and the wine finally arrived. Waiter offered dessert but never came back for my order.
Worst of all, they automatically add gratuity to the bill. I didn’t catch it until too late, but the hostess/​manager happily corrected the error.

Expensive, but worth it — amongst the best steaks I’ve had in London, excellent service, and the most surprising bit was how great the ale was; and the fact it was served in old-​school tankards — awesome. Will definitely be going back — would recommend it to anyone who likes steak and feels like treating themselves.

Overpriced flies
If you read my reviews, that is one pethate. that are beer flies. If I see them, I automatically deduct at least 1 stars from my ratings.
We went there for wedding anniversary and I really wanted Oysters and steak. I had a very good experience in HIX Soho, an thought it might be easier to park around Farrington. I was right about the parking, not so about the restaurant.
We were sat at the bar table despite of a booking (fair enough, they did warn us) but the flies flying around the bar turned me into a kung-​fu girl all night, and kept waving and waving my hand to stop them getting into my food.
Lets be honest about the oysters, they are good. We had a mix of 12 oysters and I really enjoyed the Rock oysters. The native you can easily get from Billingsgate but not the Rock. So thumbs up there.
Then to the main course. We looked at the meat board and decided is not the day for steak. There are not enough beef steak, but deer, and game are on the table. The porterhouse is not as good as the one I had in HIX Soho. A bit of a shame, so I went for the sweet corn Scallop and my husband had the John Dory, reminding him of his Aussie side.
After 1 hour later we had our oysters. the mains arrived. The chef had a bit of a cold, so he blew my husband’s fish salt into mine. Mine is too salty. My husband’s fish is tasteless. We tried hard to keep a smile when we were asked «is everything ok?» obviously not, and I nearly called the manager to complain as my king-​fu hand is waving again for the flies, hoping they won’t attacked my veggie.
So we had 2 hours of flies, and waiting. And we can’t get out of that place early enough. STILL without wine, it cost is £50 per head
OUCH!
And happy anniversary

Great beer selection (try the one aged in oak), awesome food (try the gulls), awesome service (hopefully you will get Julian)! We loved it!!!

nice gastro pub by office. pricey… but good fresh food… nice oyster selection.

Just had a superb steak which was just the ticket for my mahoosive hangover at Hix which is luckily right across the road from where I’m working for the next two weeks.
Like the Soho Hix which I’ve reviewed, the menu is superb. Old favourites with the odd random thing thrown in.
Lots of good old english fare. Two of our group had the beef and oyster pie which they both declared was superb. My steak was full of flavour, well trimmed (take note Hawksmoor) and the veg sides were lovely.
Surroundings are simple and comfy and buzzy, service friendly and expert. Prices aren’t cheap but you get what you pay for and had I been paying I would have been happy to, but fact is I wasn’t. Get in.
Hix is definitely one of the more exciting restauranteurs at the mo in my book. Great stuff.

What do you mean grouse is ‘supposed’ to be purple? That it looks as if it’s wounded but could still walk away from the fight? Really, the blood is ‘normal’ because the buck shot is probably still in the nearly-​chirping pigeon-​sized bird? Really?
Call me a boorish American, but I like my meat cooked and I still believe in a little thing called ‘good service’. After asking multiple times for my grouse to go back into the oven so that I was sure it wasn’t actually living by the time it got to the table, it was returned for a third time with added garnish hiding raw flesh. According to the insolent waitress, ‘the chef refused’.
And then to top it off, the waitress kept reiterating how wrong I was. That grouse is served raw, ehem, «rare» and clearly I have a pedestrian McDonald’s palate.
When the very expensive bill for four came, the grouse was still on it. We respectfully mentioned how it would probably be best if it was removed. At which point she went into another 15 minute diatribe on how I clearly didn’t know about this majestic game bird, this British delicacy and I never should have ordered it (though at the beginning of the meal she acted as if I would be winning a sweepstakes to get one of the last birds of the night and I needed to get in my order, now, now, now!). The grouse was finally removed from the bill.
I’ll stick to my McNuggets— at least I know they won’t hop out of the box and walk away.
P. S. Oh and what’s with all the juvenile bawdy humor in the bathrooms? Still scratching my head on that one.

Waste of an evening, terrible terrible service, okay food, but so dreadful overall, dreary, odd, not worth the trip, and way expensive for the experience. So lacking in anything special! I had to write this … I took a party of four to the chop house last night and have been furious all day so this is why … We arrived excited to be there, I don’t spend enough time with these people and I booked somewhere nice to share an evening. We waited 10 minutes the Hostess took a water order. Arrived minutes later. She then took a drinks order, a glass of wine arrived 10 minutes later. The gin and tonic arrived 10 minutes after that (complete with lemon even thought lime was specified) the lime arrived 5 minutes after that. We tried to order chicken salad– it was out. the salmon with soda bread came alone as the soda bread was in the oven for two minutes more, I wanted a lamb chop with chips — could not have that as I must have bubble and squeak, as it «comes as a unit «(?). My daughter ordered Lamb chop, It took me five minutes to cut it it was so tough. I am a fitness professional! We tried to smile all the way through as I wanted to cling on to my idea we were together and it was fun. I asked for our lamb bone and marrow bones to take home for the dog, we waited 10 minutes after the bill nothing came. Our bill was £200+…two gin and tonics one glass of wine … Nobody said goodbye, nobody made eye contact all evening. Horrible experience. Never again, and you should know that .Go somewhere else. We should have gone to the Wells in Hampstead near our house… that is British food — but with service and no rules and you get a welcome and a goodbye for free !

the restaurant is decorated well you feel comfortable and as soon as i got in my anticipation was raised. the menu was good lots of appealing starters made it hard to choose, i went for a salad of rabbit and black pudding. the salad was a little underdressed for me but rabbit was cooked to perfection and theblack pudding was lovely, obviosly well sourced and a totally different experience to the rubbish you get in the supermarket. My main course was a pork chop and it was just that so a side order was needed, which was not a problem. the chop itself was thick and juicy cooked very well and had a great flavour good meat shows
dessert was a bit of a miss a buckthorn posset. the bakewell pudding was outsanding it had and unusual texture but really hit the spot.
Don’t forget to look for a cheeky neon sign above the stairs that you can only read on the mirror

Das Hix ist im Moment sicher ein In-​Lokal und ziemlich quirlig und auch laut, weil ziemlich voll. Man isst aber ausgezeichnet, die Bedienung ist perfekt, ich kann es nur empfehlen.
Spent a week in London (Aug 6 — Aug 12), and of all the restaurants we went to, the Hix was the best. Excellent food, perfect service. Really recommendable!

This is one lovely restaurant. Light and open and airy it really welcomes you in off the street. Multi layered areas split the bar from the prep from the tables.
We had tickets for the Barbican so went for the pre theatre menu, which at £15,95 for 2 courses has to be one of the best bargains in London, certianly round this part of it!
Brick coloured fish soup had an extraordinary depth of flavour, great crusty bread to guarantee you can mop up the dregs. Lovely meaty slice of ham hock terrine with an acid yellow slick of perfect piccalilli. Mains were a substantial lamb fillet salad and fish fingers with the previously mentioned perfect mushy peas.
Service is laid back — and I liked that.
Definitely going back for the full menu.

Great place, and a bit more fun than the newer Hix restaurant. Don’t go if you want super-​fast annoying service. This place has great cocktails and excellent food, and each time I’ve been there I’ve not been disappointed.

It was good, at least that’s what I thought on first impressions. But overly expensive for what they served. The oysters were fresh and delicious, highly recommended. My mutton was good, but a teensy bit ordinary. I ended up having to pour some salt on it to give it enough flavour. The flavours were muddled The bottle of Shiraz I had was quite good, and rather affordable. The service was EXCELLENT. It’s definitely a place to go on a date, in that case I’d probably give it an extra star, but a little less ‘authentic’ feeling that St Johns, still quite nice though. I guess another way of putting it is that I felt there was less ‘love’ put into the dishes they prepared for us. I’ll have to review again once I’ve had a chance to try their steaks. But overall, I’d just say it’s too expensive for what you get.
I’ve updated this review and knocked off a star since having the lancashire hot-​pot at rochelles canteen. That’s how mutton is supposed to taste, not the bland stuff I had here…

Service at Hix can come across as a bit too relaxed but ultimately proves competent and quick. The dining area’s atmosphere has a wonderful simplicity (not as sterile as nearby St John or as chummy as the almost adjacent Smith of Smithfield — and if you can get here before/​after the crowds — the quietude is wonderful). There’s a delectable menu to peruse as well. I wouldn’t blame anybody for opting for a chop of cow when visiting Hix. But if you can resist the mega-​cuts, you might just find yourself pleasantly surprised!
Last time I was there, I had the coley fish fingers with mushy peas. Coley is a flavoursome meaty fish and, I reckon, the ideal fish for making fish fingers (or at least that’s the conclusion I came too after having Mark Hix’s version) especially when served atop a bed of the best mushy peas you’ve ever tasted. Yes, the mushy peas at Hix Oyster & Chops are the perfect representative for this age old British side dish. They’re just mushy enough and appear to have been made with real peas (not some hideous neon green pap from a can). The taste of minty seasoning is pleasantly evident without masking the robust flavour of the peas. On this same visit, the fellow at the table next to mine exclaimed to his waiter that he’d just had the best applesauce I’ve ever eaten! Wow. How good can applesauce be? Hmmm I guess I’ll just have to go taste for myself.

Mark Hix is delivering the goods. He has been criticised in the press for being too matey with his chums and not focusing on his customers, but I got sterling service and total attention. The most impressive element in the whole experience is the confidence in the quality of the ingredients, and their simple, unadorned presentation. The starter of salmon was so incredibly perfect in level of smokiness, texture and intensity of flavour that there was absolutely no need to service it with a garnish — no dill, no lemon, no nothing. Just a few supremely elegant slices. But the business is steak of course, and the porterhouse matched all expectations: excellent roasted, toasty flavour on the outside, good marbling and irresistibly bovine fat, luxuriously rich in flavour, supple and tender, and cut in pieces just the right size, outward from the bone.
We had a decent Priorat (Les Terrasses 2006) which — my only complaint — was way too warm, maybe 21 degrees — but they were happy to chill it for us to get the requisite 15 – 15 degrees. Maybe the wine glasses could be better quality given the level of some of the wines available.
Great atmosphere — buzzing but not frenzied or deafening, and lovely, utilitarian wood and ceramic interior.
They offer a superb range of native oysters which on this occasion I did not try. But I will next time.
All in all an excellent restaurant which I shall certainly be revisiting to satisfy that steak craving that never goes away. More cost-​effective than going to Brooklyn just for Peter Luger, if not as exotic or extravagant.

I’ve been here twice. The first time was just after Hix opened and being a fully paid up part of the food establishment he was getting the full love in from the press. I went expecting to be a little disappointed and was blown away.
It was fortunately one of those times I wasn’t paying and work was so we just went for it. It was my final meal in London prior to doing a tour around South America and Argentina. What I hadn’t expected was that the steak I had there would be the one I remembered, even after going to Argentina. It was simply a great meal and every component worked.
Then having raved about it to friends we went to one of the Sunday roast sessions. These are quite strange as you have a set lunch which includes at its core a big roast and you only begin the eating around 2.00pm but can get there (and are suggested to get there) much earlier. Now the cynic in me says that is so they can make the real profit from you at the bar…
The set lunch was disappointing. The starters/​puddings were pro forma and unexceptional. The fish (as an alternative to the roast) could have spent its formative years swimming in a sea of butter rather than brine and the potatoes etc. were just average. Given the price range of it, I definitely wouldn’t go to it again (do St Germain for brunch instead, or even S.O.S)
FInally as an aside I also recently went to his oyster bar down in Lyme Regis. This was plain abysmal. Weatherspoons level pub food and ramped up prices. The fish pie was worse than a pre made one from M&S. I kind of get the feeling that Hix and the places he has opened could be great (for instance the Hix Oyster Bar in Lyme Regis has a beautfiul room looking over the ocean which could save many a bad meal) but he just doesn’t care after setting them up. He has his good reviews and is prepared to ride on them…

This is the best roast dinner I’ve ever eaten in a restaurant (I would say of all time if I hadn’t been so spoilt by my mother’s home cooking). Mark Hix (formerly of The Ivy) opened this restaurant to promote the ethos of back to basics British eating and it’s worked a treat! None of the food is especially fancy but the quality and cooking is second to none.
Sunday’s are a bit special at Hix. When you book a table you are told to arrive at one with the expectation to eat at two after a few aperitifs and nibbles. There is a set menu for the day and everyone eats the same thing at the same time (although I did see exceptions being made for those with special dietary requirements). The buzz this creates is very exciting as everyone is sharing the same feelings of anticipation.
Our selection of starters included smoked salmon pâté and duck egg mayonnaise and were all thoroughly enjoyed. Main course was obviously the star of the show though and as the roast beef arrived, sliced rustically across a wooden chopping board, perfectly pink in the middle with a Yorkshire pudding at each corner, I knew I was going to enjoy it. The portion was huge but I still managed to scoff every scrap– absolutely delicious!
It was around about this time that Hix himself arrived and floated between tables shaking hands proudly with happy customers. As he and his friends sat down to eat, I noticed that they were having exactly meal as us. No fanfare, no special treatment, just great food cooked to its best. It’s important for me to point out that Hix isn’t cheap (£30 a head before wine) but if you’re after something really special I’d say it’s well worth it.