An intriguing window displays a zebra, a peacock, a flamingo, penguins and a unicorn in a jungle scene could be the fantastical window dressing of a department store. Yet behind this arrangement is the curiously decorated Hux bar and 60-cover restaurant in Kensington. It belongs to the Hux Hotel next door and located opposite Kensington Gardens.

We pass a busy bar where mixologists create their cocktails beneath chandeliers, and a DJ dishing out his music mashup before arriving at the restaurant clad with navy blue walls, and some jungle lushness and monkeys hanging from the light fittings. We found ourselves dining under the gaze of an imposing taxidermied giraffe. 

High up the end of the restaurant, a lion lords it over the entire scene while various birds spy from the shadows. It’s both a funky visual and an earful of modish music surrounded by an intriguing style of creature comforts.

Food & Drink

Hux’s menu has been curated by the highly experienced and charming head chef Stephen Collins and offers a contemporary twist on British cuisine. A highlight for us was the shredded poached salt beef with dill (Chef Stephen salted the brisket himself), carrot and parsley terrine and the juicy Dry Aged Angus steak tartare with smoked paprika oil served with soft-boiled quail’s eggs and served with crostini.

For mains, it was the well-executed Day Dry Ages Rib Eye Steak served with triple-cooked chips and a most delicious Cheltenham Beetroot Wellington. It was pastry-perfect and inside was the beetroot slowly cooked in balsamic and sea salt with portobello mushrooms that added dome earthy flavours.

Golden Ribolla Gialla “Collin “ Tenuta Stella” with a buttery vanilla on the palate and the elegant and complex Chablis Domaine Ellevin. We paired the steak with dense, rich Perillo Taurasi 2011, a fine Italian wine made entirely from Aglianico with balanced tannins and spicy and mineral tones, perfect pairing for the Rib Eye Steak.

We enjoyed deserts of sticky toffee pudding and vanilla bean cheesecake paired with a plucky Sauternes.

Later…

A hidden staircase leads to the underground music lounge with a hint of the speakeasy vibe about it. Seating is soft sofas and the sounds are soulful Afro-Latin beats of the house band, Baldo Verdu. You could stay until dawn enjoying the music and downing one of their unusual cocktails.

We stayed till midnight sipping the unusual flavours of two of their cocktails: Flying High Loves Margaritas, chili infused1800 coconut tequila, Ancho reyes verde, wasabi agave and finished off with citric acid. And The Parrot One made with mezcal, coffee-infused Campari, chocolate bitters, saline solution and a blend of vermouths.

Verdict: Hux restaurant, bar and live music lounge offers a satisfyingly fun evening, with lots of eye candy, great sounds both in the restaurant or in the subterranean lounge. It’s a lovely night out.

More info: Hux

Address: 9 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5NP