The best restaurant in Hoxton Square with a good cause to boot.

The Venue
At the rear corner of Hoxton Square, it might be quite easy to pass by the Hoxton Apprentice if you weren’t looking – its relatively minimalist white exterior does not scream restaurant – but upon entering it is impossible not to notice the series of accolades proudly displayed on the front door, including a Michelin recommendation.

Best of all, this is a restaurant with a social mission - the charity Training for Life started the Hoxton Apprentice as a restaurant to serve excellent food from locally bought produce made and served by less fortunate or desirable candidates who are trained and equipped with the skills to become excellent chefs and servers. All of the profits from the restaurant go back into the charity so that it can continue to help people overcome unemployment and develop careers in fine dining, and nothing is more delicious than feeling as though you are helping a good cause.

The Atmosphere
The minimalist decor and happy diners make the Hoxton Apprentice a very special place to eat. The excellent servers are down to earth, attentive and seem to take a real pride in the food whilst always maintaining a friendly but professional attitude. This is a nice contrast to the restaurant itself, which feels very, if intimidatingly trendy. Straight angles of dark wood paneling and tables, low key electronic music playing not too loudly and highly complimentary diffused overhead lighting make all the diners seem a little bit cooler and a little bit more attractive, which can be frightening, until you gratefully realize you’ve become one of them.

The Food
What is so remarkable about the food at the Hoxton Apprentice is that it mirrors the quality of a top notch restaurant like Gordon Ramsay’s or Bacchus nearby, but is nowhere near the price. The most expensive starter on the menu is an unbelievable £7.95 for a ceviche of marinated scallops, spiced avocado puree and crisp lotus fruit. Mushrooms a la Greque, with cauliflower puree and croutons is an impressive vegetarian starter for £4.95. The dish barely resembles simple mushrooms at all – a variety of mushrooms are blanched with white wine and served with a puree that is so tangy yet understated that it practically reinvents the cauliflower. Croutons are crispy and generous pieces of grilled bread, and the dish is so beautifully presented you nearly dread taking a bite.

For a main try the crispy grilled mackerel with razor thin shaved vegetables, fresh and crunchy pea shoots and a subtle fresh horseradish cream for about £10.00. Every flavor in this dish is perfectly thought out and blends together like instruments in a symphony. Vegetarians can have the linguine with confit tomatoes, artichokes and basil for £5.75 (also available as a starter) which, though not nearly as beautifully presented, is pasta that is perfectly al dente, a generous serving of fresh basil, juicy but sweet tomatoes and an oil based sauce that is light without being oily. This dish does not wow the same way that the mushrooms or the mackerel do, but it is simple and skillfully prepared, probably the best pasta available for its incredibly low price.

Sides are especially exciting all at £2.95. Do not underestimate the possibilities of good vegetables! Vegetables of the season mean whatever is freshest, which could be green beans sauteed with lemon and garlic, either way, the staff get creative and the option stays healthy. If thoughts of health will damper your evening then get the Apprentice fat chunky salt chips. Chips, like any staple, are always the ultimate test of any restaurant that claims to fine dining, and these homemade deliciously fresh chips prove that care and quality are always on the menu.

The Drink
A wide range of wines are available at very reasonable prices and servers are happy to recommend wines to go with different dishes. Coffee is high quality and a great way to end a meal.

The Last Word
With an admirable ethos and well presented, fresh and carefully prepared food, you can’t afford not to go to the Hoxton Apprentice. Don’t be fooled by the other choices in Hoxton Square, this restaurant has it all – freshness, good service and a great heart.

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