| |
The Hoxton hotel opened on September 1; 205 rooms at budget prices, right in the heart of London's clubbing and bars district. It caused a stir with room prices, booked online like easyJet, 'from £1'.
The ground floor bar and brasserie is appealing enough to linger in despite the surfeit of local alternatives. Hoxton Grille is stylish yet unthreatening (brick walls, big lampshades, leather banquettes), neither design hotel nor too Travelodge in appearance. The reception area doubles as the front bar: huge, quiet, comfy and exposed to the view of the busy road outside. The DJ spun his stuff, our waitress was charm personified. Past reception is the much larger dining area, which has a small outdoor courtyard for al fresco eating. Again, service was unfailingly sweet.
The menu of Caesar salad, burgers, ravioli and sausage and mash is unlikely to create any drum rolls, but that doesn't matter if the dishes are well prepared. The kitchen can be proud of the chicken liver parfait and potted shrimps.
We'd go back to Hoxton Grille if we wanted that rare thing, a quite Shoreditch bar. Clubbers take note that weekend breakfasts start at 7.30am, and that the Grille is a useful spot to meet and relax over brunch.
|
|
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
