Hixter Bankside, the chef's first venture south of the river, will open in the Metal Box Factory– a Workspace Group re-development of a Victorian tin box printing factory built in the late 19th century.
Situated opposite the Tate Modern and spread over 7000 sq ft, the restaurant will feature two dining rooms, with a large glass fronted kitchen and artwork from British artists Tim Noble & Sue Webster.
Based on Hix’s successful chicken and steak sharing concept, the restaurant will serve whole chickens with chips and salads for 2-3 persons for £25, while steaks will be available from £20.
The basement will be home to another Mark’s Bar serving provenance-heavy cocktails and British bar snacks, although the chef has not yet confirmed whether the bar will feature the same New York interior as the Mark’s Bars in Soho and the City.
Hix said: “This is a great building and we’re eager to create a restaurant that really engages with the area and those that live, work and visit here, Hixter is about offering everyday quality and value for money in a restaurant that makes you feel good. And we’re going to have a lot of fun with art here – it lends itself perfectly.”
Business partner and finance director of the group, Ratnesh Bagdai, added: “This opening will be perfect timing for us both commercially given our successful opening in Devonshire Square and operationally whereby we have recently bolstered our top tier management team to take on a more focused and measured growth plan.”
Chicken and steak success
This is the third chicken and steak sharing restaurant for Hix, who launched the concept at the Tramshed in Shoreditch in 2012 before using it as the basis for Hixter on London’s Devonshire Square.
Speaking to BigHospitality in an exclusive video interview ahead of the Tramshed opening in 2012, Hix said he thought there was something 'quite interesting' in keeping things simple.
The chef sources chicken and steaks from producers that supply exclusively to him, and commissions exclusive artwork for his restaurants.
The Hix group’s London ventures also include Hix Soho and Hix Mayfair, which have changing menus of seasonal British food, Hix Oyster & Chop House, which serves British oysters and a selection of meats and steaks and Hix Mayfair, and Hix at Selfridges – a restaurant, champagne and caviar bar.
Outside of London, Hix Oyster & Fish House serves British fish and seafood in the harbour in Lyme Regis.
Hixter Bankside will open on Great Guildford Street, Bankside, SE1 in Summer 2014.