Hoxley and Porter (Islington)

• S heart of darkness with booty and now decided to fill his home with it
• The interiors are by Kai Design
• Re reasonably experimental with their drinks list
• A brand new bar and restaurant with a stunningly realised train carriage and travel theme
• With views through to a classic dining carriage on your right before you reach the bar area which is slightly more exotic
• His friend Yih was manning the bar that evening after a few months away from the mixology game
• We pulled up to two seats at the bar always the best place to be and got chatting
• It was great to have a chat with them whilst they were off the clock
• I think) because they are somehow affiliated with them
• Taro started off with a boozy "
• I had heard rumours of a colour changing cocktail with an edible absinthe coated scorpion
• Reasons that were explained to me at the time but are now hazy
• Adding that he is well aware quite how pretentious that sounds
• Who had texted about watching the Arsenal match but was quickly drawn into the cocktail fun
• Let us in on the dry wet dry shaking technique (without ice or with) which produces a super smooth drink with well defined bubbles
• Yih's signature (off the menu) drink easily the best Mai Tai I have ever tasted
• Every drink was an absolute winner
• It was amusing to watch the bar staff dealing with one table who were constantly sending back drinks to make them sweeter
• I guess you can't argue with the customer
• Huge thanks have to go to Yih for being such a fantastic host (especially with a taster of the awesome Plantation XO Rum)
• I can't remember what was there before
• Either because it was a pretty forgettable place to begin with or possible because what H &
• P have done with the place is so stunning it has obliterated any memory of its former guise
• Giving you a chance to admire the dining area and then you basically walk into the set of Murder on the Orient Express crossed with Death on the Nile (without the murders)
• Or at least that is what I was it felt like to me
• It was definitely reminiscent of a grand train carriage and the decor and foliage were all very exotic 20 40s
• There should have been girls slinking about with cigarettes in holders and if they don't host a 20s night they are missing a trick
• I perused the menu and started to order something rum based with honey and bubbly
• Who am I to argue with the expert
• Obviously I can't say if it was better than the one I originally wanted
• Sitting at the bar totally paid off as we got to chat to the bartender a bit and see what he was creating for the other people at the bar
• They told me it was made with 'awesomeness' so I couldn't refuse
• They make theirs with 12 year old El Dorado rum instead of whiskey and let me try the rum before I agreed to try their kerazy take on the old fashioned
• Stephen went for the Baron's Tipple which was a fruity little number of overproof rum
• You might think all this fruitiness would leave you with an overly sweet cocktail but it wasn't at all
• The fact that the staff were ever so friendly and that the cocktails were made with care and attention means a second trip has already been lined up for a few weeks' time
• The food and drink is good though a little expensive for what it is
• The prawns to start were delicious but there weren't many
• Then the salmon fillet was nicely cooked on a bed on tartly dressed salad it could have done with a little more sweetness
• We were welcomed in and seated immediately and presented with a menu generous with options
• The panna cotta for dessert was silky and delicious

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