Reviews of Brix

Agreed with Ivanhoe's description in all but one (for me pivotal) detail. The following is based on four visits, the last around 2 months ago. It's possible they've done something about it in the intervening time.

If you happen to be eating in the main dining room when it is 50% or more full do not expect to have a conversation replete with nuanced charm, pithy asides and incidental badinage. It is flat out *loud• in there. Think nightclub with braying conversation in place of music. The place is brick, steel and glass. The only thing absorbing the sound will be you and your fellow human beings' sweetbreads. If your idea of a hot date is sexting at your table, if you're only capable of guttural vowel sounds, or if you're one of the New Idiots who mistake volume for atmosphere by all means go for it. Otherwise, pick your time carefully or just visit the smashing bar downstairs.

I was quite sceptical about this place, given that it basically only serves either chicken or steak, and that it makes a big thing about its cocktails (aka overpriced drinks for people who don't really like the taste of alcohol).

However, after weeks without any significant amounts of red meat, Mrs I bared her fangs, growled at me, and told me that we were going out. To Hixter. To eat raw meat. And possibly to drink cocktails (although I might be allowed wine or beer if I was on best behaviour).

Oh scales! Oh eyes! OMG there's a bar billiards table in the downstairs bar! And they have cocktails with cider brandy in them...which are actually pretty good.

The steak was great, the chicken-flavoured chips (I know; sounds awful but tastes awesome) were a revelation, the place was buzzy, the service was intelligent and friendly. Wine was available at a range of prices, with the usual sort of London mark-ups.

If you eat a lot of steak, and drink a lot of drink, then it can be an expensive night out. But we enjoyed it and went back there for a late Sunday lunch with our 5 yr old last weekend.

A thick slab of pink, tender, sirloin, a big Yorkshire pud - crispy but not dry, just as it should be. Average veg, and good gravy. Roast beef was £17.50, which isn't cheap, but compares well to some of the better nearby pubs, and this is a cut above your average nearby pub.

A varied children's menu, going from boiled eggs and soldiers to mini steak and chips (which was really good). Kids eat free at many times of day, which is another nice touch.

Great service, again. A short set from a decent live band playing old soul covers.