Blixen

Blixen restaurant, London
A new brasserie-style all day dining spot opened up in E1 in February, in the lofty former bank buildings on Brushfield Street. Blixen, the brainchild of restauranteur Clive Watson and Justin Gilbert of Coriander Buildings, promises 'an informal take on the grand European Brasserie', in which food, drink and design come together to immerse guests in classic, old world grandeur with a modern, airy twist.
Just next door to the Old Spitalfields Market, Blixen aims to offer something to tempt passers-by at any time of day. Nip in en route to work for toasted banana bread or blueberry pancakes with cinnamon mascarpone and cumquat, or stop by later in the day for salads or croque madame.
Blixen Brushfield Street
Dinner follows the classic European style befitting high-ceilinged surroundings of terrazzo tile, walnut and brass. The dining spaces encompass a plant-filled pergola and a run alongside the windowed kitchen, as well as a more intimate private dining space (for 18) situated downstairs, in what used to be the bank's safe. Expect ambitious dishes expertly delivered, including crumbed ox tongue salad with celeriac remoulade, monkfish tail with mussel broth, and rhubarb meringue roulade with pistachio ice cream,
Blixen Cocktails
The downstairs bar boasts an impressive array of cocktails, and appropriately sumptuous decor. All the classics are represented. The G&T is pitch-perfect: well-mixed with a dash of grapefruit and coriander cordial. Also on offer are a selection of seasonal specialities. For the winter months, we recommend the Finolorosso: a warming Yuletide blend of bourbon, sherry and bitters.