HIX

Having conquered Farringdon with his Oyster and Chop House, ‘celebrity chef’ Mark Hix has set his sights on Soho. The Caprice and Ivy alum’s trademark knack for twisting traditional British dishes, with an emphasis on local ingredients, is in evidence at this new brasserie, whose immense wooden door and frosted windows make it look a tad ‘members-only’ from the exterior. You’re as likely to encounter Cod’s tongues or a salt marsh mutton, kidney and oyster pie as you are fish fingers and chips or retro desserts like lemon trifle on the daily changing menu, whilst ‘Heaven & Earth’ (a black pudding creation dreamt up by a Cumbrian farmer) is getting rave reviews. And surrounded as you are by arty nick-nacks (think Emin, Noble, Webster and Hirst), thanks to Hix’s long-standing affiliation with Young British Artists, you may well be inspired to try something new. Head down to the funky basement ‘Mark’s Bar’ for a post-meal cocktail or game of pool on his eBay-found table.