100 Hoxton

Location

100 Hoxton has avoided the hipster drenched Hackney road and set up shop on the cosy neighbourly alternative Hoxton Street – and it works.

Vibe

Sociable, relaxed and refreshingly unpretentious, this restaurant feels like a ‘local’, the place to come to catch up with friends. Waiters are friendly, tables are close knit and the place is abuzz with relaxed chatter and a casual soundtrack (Solange and The Knife were on during our visit).

Flavours

The kitchen is run by ex Ottolenghi and NOPI chefs, and it shows. The Vietnamese/Thai fusion dishes burst with sophisticated flavours, although understated is the name of the game here. The edamame and split pea fritters with halloumi and lime pickled yogurt are testament to this, as were the moreish chargrilled prawns, simply seasoned with chilli salt, aioli and lime; the grilled bream in banana leaf was melt-in your mouth while the accompaniment of cucumber and tamarind relish gave the dish multiple layers. The plates are small and meant for sharing, but if you want more hearty offerings, head for the ‘on the land’ section of the menu – our favourite: the pan-fried duck breast with cashew beer butter. And to drink? The cocktails follow the same principles as the food, subtle but flavoursome with a lot of kick. Expect fresh ingredients that play homage to Vietnamese classics: think lemongrass, chilli, lime and lychee.

Décor

Low hanging industrial lights, polished concrete floors and leather green sofas make this a restaurant you want to settle into and bunk in for the evening. The bar in the middle of the room gives the place its design kudos, no doubt thanks to designer Yaojen Chuang, whose work has featured at the Venice Biennale’s Architecture Exhibition. Plus it allows 100 Hoxton to double as a standalone cocktail destination – the 2-4-1 cocktail hour (5-7pm) helps too.

Upshot

A sophisticated alternative to the Kingsland Road offerings.