As Islington continues to go from strength to strength. we have news of another opening, just around the corner. This time it's more of a themed affair, as Hoxley and Porter takes over from the old Grand Union on Upper Street for its new,very British, cocktail bar and restaurant.
The theme of Hoxley and Porter is a mix of "Victorian gentlemen's clubs, Colonial Poirot, Egyptian noir, and surrealist jungles" - which make it the second Victorian drinking den on Upper Street following House of Wolf. Of the two named inspirations for the place, Hoxley is supposed to be a Victorian explorer and the "Dining Carriage", which will seat 28, shows those influences here. The modern British menu - which will also serve weekend brunches - will include:
- Crisp cider-braised pork belly accompanied by glazed baby vegetables, parsnip puree and fondant potatoes
- Pot roasted rabbit with herb-baked butternut squash and crispy bacon
- Saint Clements pie: Hoxley’s take on the key lime classic; a creamy dessert infused with lemon and sweet oranges
The cocktail bar is named after "Porter" which is supposed to be "a diamond so exquisite that since its discovery in 1880, has inspired riches, ruin and royalty." The bar is managed by Michael Pendergast, previously at Powder Keg Diplomacy in Battersea and his cocktails include:
- "Caribbean inception" - 'the thinking man's banana daiquiri', with fried plantain fat-washed gold rum, lime juice, a touch of overproof white rum, molasses syrup
- "Thyme of gentility" - 'a combination of classic gin and rum cocktail ingredients - refreshing and summery'. Mixes Millers gin, homemade falernum, lemon, fresh lemon thyme. Served long with a fresh thyme flourish
- And finally there's the bizarre sounding "Whatever doesn't kill you" - garnished with an absinthe-coated scorpion which changes colour, from blue to bright purple
Down in the basement, there's an opportunity - invite only - to see "The Crypt", where the team prepare the ingredients for the cocktails including their own ginger ale and the edible scorpions.
Hoxley and Porter opens for a soft launch on September 1 (still TBC if there will be an offer) and opens fully on September 11 at 153 Upper Street, London N1 1RA. Follow them on Twitter @hoxleyandporter.
