The Venue:
The younger sibling of chic King’s Cross restaurant Hicce, the Hicce Hart first swung open its doors at the tail end of last year, and it’s already made quite the entrance it has to be said.
Also co-owned by winner of the Great British Menu 2017, Pip Lacey, this fashionable gastropub is all about ‘good food, good beer and a good atmosphere’ – and we couldn’t agree more.
Situated at the Western edge of Islington’s Chapel Market – just a fifteen minute stroll from its sister venue – it’s a great spot to while away a lazy afternoon, particularly by the roaring fire when the weather is a bit chilly.
The staff were lovely and welcoming, and were happy to chat through and give recommendations to anything that was found on the menu. We kicked off our Sunday afternoon with a gin and tonic and a ‘Proud Mary’ – a delightful concoction of house-roasted tomato juice, Hicce hot sauce, a dash of vodka and their in-house spice mix which couldn’t help but warm the cockles on a crisp January day.
The Main Course:
After a side of olives and some delicious slices of sourdough bread lathered in charcoal butter, we then got the chance to tuck into our free-range half chicken and herb-rolled pork belly – which I have to say were some of the best roasts I’ve had in over a decade in London.
Served with lashings of gravy, roast potatoes, loads of veg and a generously-sized Yorkshire pudding, it was absolutely delicious and just what I needed on a Sunday afternoon feeling slightly worse for wear from the night before. The wine – a Terre Rouge Malbec from the Chateau du Cedre region of France certainly was a welcome addition too!
The Dessert:
Now for the pièce de résistance – the dessert. The gorwydd caerphilly cheese with a side of chutney and crackers went down an absolute treat, but it was the chocolate stout cake with gooey caramel that was the real star of the show here. It was completely moreish and was probably the best dessert I’ve had in a very long time – high praise indeed. Trust me – you’re gonna wanna try this one if you’re ever here on a Sunday!
The Final Say:
But it’s not just about the roasts at the Hicce Hart – even though they are a major draw. Alongside an array of craft beer from an independent local brewer, The Goodness Brewery, as well as carefully-sourced biodynamic and sustainable wines, they’ve also got an excellent regular menu that champions the ‘best of British’.
Example dishes include a chicken and broccoli pie with creamy mash – served piping hot of course – and a spice-infused squash curry with mint and cashew nuts. Add in the friendly staff and excellent location, and quite frankly you’ve got a winner in our books!