Hixter Bankside (Restaurant)

Top 10 things you need to know about Hixter Bankside:

1) Behind the Tate Modern is a red neon sign, glowing like a beacon in the dark, a characteristic of Hix restaurants all over London. Mark Hix’s empire has spread as far as Dorset and a fish finger sandwich van.

2) Hixter Bankside is the cheeky one of the family; the menu is knowingly retro and, like all Hix's, decorated with contemporary art. Descend into the toilets to see some explicit, Instgrammable toilet art (#hixter).

3) Cocktails showcase British produce such as a G&T garnished with lemon peel and fresh sage.

4) The prawn cocktail is a hit; plump crustaceans with a mustardy dressing. The hidden frills of shaved greens are an excellent accompaniment. It makes you wonder how this dish ever fell out of fashion.

5) There are options for herbivores, but meat is the focus. An array of beef is available, from burgers to Porterhouse steak. The sirloin is nicely browned with a rosy interior, slightly over the requested medium rare but the meat is of high quality.

6) The other big main course is roast chicken; whole (wrinkled feet intact), or half with stuffing, chips and gravy. They fly, hot and golden, in the hands of proud waiting staff from the kitchen and land on impressed tables. The meat is slightly overcooked but the skin is moorishly crisp. The bones hide a treasure of stuffing that you can use to soak up the deeply savoury gravy.

7) The nostalgic theme continues at dessert. The white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake is silky and reminiscent of desserts in the 1970’s – comforting but familiar. 

8) Under the main dining room is a subterranean bar with billiards. Anyone wanting to escape the city could do a lot worse than sink into the velvet chairs and sink a martini, away from the stresses on street level. 

9) The prices at Hixter could also be described as cheeky. It’s suited to expense accounts and treats. The clientele are well heeled and hip, cooing over whole chickens for birthday celebrations.

10) Hixter Bankside won’t be a meal at which you’ll be wide-eyed with wonder from the culinary experimentation, but the ingredients are first-rate and the service pleasant. It’s a good place to bring that friend who is tired of London’s endless choice, but won’t be shocked by what’s on show in the loo. 

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A post shared by Lauren Abery (@laurenabery) on Nov 10, 2016 at 11:25am PST