Looking for something special for you restaurant choice in London? Here’s a selection of our favourite restaurants: Gaucho – Smithfield The Gaucho chain of restaurants is a concept that I have never felt a lot of love for. Always too dark and over-priced. But it was a cold Wednesday night and (after a fairly serious work-out at the gym) I had a hankering for a decent steak, so I wandered over to the Gaucho adjacent to Smithfield Market . I ordered a 300g rib eye steak with béarnaise sauce, spinach and a glass of Malbec. All very good. They seem to have improved the lighting, the music was great and the service was professional (if a little lacking in charm). Still over-priced. Hix Oyster & Chop House – Smithfield It was a wintry night in Clerkenwell and I felt like some substantial food. I’d eaten at Hix in Cowcross Street only once before, soon after it had opened a few years ago. It wasn’t the most successful meal, but I was feeling generous and decided it was time to give Hix another try. I heaved past the solid door and stood expectantly by the long bar. It took a while for anyone to acknowledge me, eventually it was a fairly surly greeting. “Table for one” I said — the waiter looked at me as if I was crazy. “Pardon?” he said. “Table for one” I repeated — a bit more firmly. I was not in the mood for surly waiters. The restaurant was quiet but he waved me towards the seats at the bar which I was I was fine with. After a little while the surly waiter brought me some menus — they looked tired and tatty, the food menu was laminated. It felt cheap but the prices indicated that it wasn’t going to be. I was looking for comfort food so I ordered the fish fingers, chips and mushy peas with a glass of Bordeaux to wash it down. I asked for a glass of water — it never arrived. The restaurant did get busy — full of suits. The food was okay. Don’t think I’ll give Hix a third chance.
By Gareth Johnson – Full Story at Gay Star News
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