Restaurant Review: Hix Oyster & Fish House

Last Friday I was lucky enough to have lunch on a sunny, spring day at the Hix Oyster & Fish House, perched high above the seaside town of Lyme Regis in Mark Hix's native Dorset. I have been to the restaurant a couple of times before, a few years ago, but only in the evening when it's been dark, and I have to say that the setting during the day is unbeatable with breathtaking views of Lyme harbour, the famous Cobb and, in the distance, the length of the Jurassic Coast to Portland.

My friend Mel was already sitting outside on the terrace when I arrived, and it was so lovely that we stayed there for a while to look at the menu, a real seafood lover's delight. In keeping with our British weather, it quickly clouded over, but we managed to get some photos!

Reg, the manager, greeted us warmly and took lots of time to answer our questions. Everything is sourced as locally as possible and they cure and smoke their own salmon. Inside, the relaxed dining room feels light and airy, with simple white wooden tables and chairs and floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the unique views.

WHAT WE ATE

The food was just as impressive as the stunning location.

Starters: Hix always offers a variety of seasonal oysters at any one time. Being in an oyster house meant that we obviously had to try them, so Mel chose the oyster threesome and they were truly special. The favourite was the scrumpy fried rock oysters served in their shell with ramson mayonnaise - heavenly!

I opted for a delicious salad of chopped Trill farm beets with a pickled Burford Brown egg and horseradish - a fantastic combination and look how pretty it looks, even the egg is pink:

Main Courses:  I ordered the fillet of Torbay hake with smoked salmon, cabbage and chive butter, which was beautifully presented. It was so deliciously fresh and I loved the delicate taste of the fish with the smoked salmon.

Mel ordered the whole Lyme bay lemon sole with capers, lemon and parsley, which she said was cooked to perfection. We also shared a garden herb salad and a side of buttered Pink Fir Apple potatoes.

The wine list is excellent and has some unusual offerings. We took Reg's advice and ordered a dry sparkling rose wine from the local award winning Furleigh estate, which was perfect.

The service was  so friendly and attentive and it was a lovely touch that Lin, the head chef, came and had a chat with us at our table. She suggested we bring our children next time, as they can eat for free from Tuesday-Friday from 3-6pm. Not sure she would be suggesting this if she had actually met our children, but actually it might work well as our husbands have a little fishing boat in Lyme harbour, so we do spend a lot of time here in the summer!

A pudding was sadly unthinkable after all of the above, but we would have chosen the Peruvian Gold chocolate mousse and the Sea buckthorn cheesecake, which looked amazing. Instead we had coffee, which is roasted locally, with Julian Temperley's exquisite cider brandy-infused truffles. Reg also let us sample a new cocktail that he has created for Mother's Day. Mum's the Word is a blend of Dorset based Black Cow vodka with cherry liqueur and orange juice and topped with Nyetimber sparkling wine. Such a treat and we were so tempted to stay all afternoon drinking them!

WHAT WE WORE

Me:
Pink Knitted Crop Jacket - Hush SS14
White sheer crew tee - Hush SS14
Boyfriend jeans - True Religion SS14
Grey Ash Jalouse Boots AW13
Heart necklace - Hultquist at Yard

Mel:
White knit top from Marie Sixtine at Yard (also showing photo of the back of this top as it's so stunning)
Scarf from Miss Shorthair at Yard
Sexy Boyfriend Jeans - Gap
Burberry Handbag


If you have a special celebration or just happen to be in the area, then you should seriously head down to the Hix for the very best local seafood, in the most spectacular setting. It's a little pricey, but for the unique experience, it is totally worth it.

It's also worth mentioning that there's a feast night every Wednesday evening (excluding the peak summer months), with 3 courses for £20. This has to be the best deal on the coast, will definitely be going back!

Next week Dorset Fashionista will be reviewing The Stable in Poole.

Abbi x