The Luxe is comfortably one of the most versatile venues in The City; this diverse establishment accommodates anything from City worker meetings to Sunday fry-ups and intimate dinners. You can even cater your evening according to the four floors; which boast a private attic, hidden brasserie upstairs, ground floor bar and top weekly comedy in the basement.
The Venue
We were whisked upstairs to the calm brasserie where delicate silk wall hangings laid across open brickwork and hand-blown lights complemented a charming view of the Market and giant birdcages outside. Guests enjoyed watching their rare breed steaks cooked by the chefs on the open grill and with few tables it allowed for very attentive service, compared to the informal atmosphere in the bar downstairs.
The most memorable part of my night had to be the comedy in the basement. It was good to avoid trekking to another part of London to enjoy some post-dinner entertainment. In the basement the crowd were seated in booths around the stage, which provided a supportive, friendly atmosphere where the new comedic talent were cutting their teeth.
Enjoy the plush basement space at the Luxe.
The Food and Drink
The menu is just as versatile as the building, with a nod to many cuisine styles, from pork belly to Malaysian curry. Whilst aged pedigree steaks featured heavily, we were interested in sampling the more experimental dishes which encompassed many flavour combinations; such as jalapenos sprinkled on the carpaccio and mussels doused with stilton and cider. The thing I noticed most about my dish was the perfect timing when cooking the meat; both with the calamari starter, which was not too chewy and the perfectly tender lamb fillets.
We started off our girly dinner with an ice cold Peach Bellini and Raspberry Collins; well worth the £8 as they were really tasty. The wine list focused on new wines, with a strong Latin influence which was great, it’s always nice to see variations from the classic restaurant offerings.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
The Luxe is a perfect spot for the City worker and also a trendy nightspot in equal measure. On a Friday night the ground floor was rammed however the upstairs brasserie was suited more to quiet pairs and post-office diners.
The convenient £8 Friday comedy night had an array of raw talent; some of it nervously bordering all-too-taboo topics and some really unique acts combining a little music with the gags. The thing with comedy is that whether it is absolutely terrible or achingly funny, it is such great ice-breaker tool, and ideal for a date. The Luxe would work well for many occasions; the perfect positioning of the ground floor bar means that you could take the night upstairs for dinner or downstairs for drinks, comedy or live music depending on how what's on.
The Luxe hosts regular comedy nights in their downstairs bar.
Summary
Whether you’re visiting the market by day, working in the City, on your way to a Brick Lane or seeking a meal near Liverpool Street, I think you can easily find a spot in The Luxe that suits your fancy and mood. The Luxe is also ideal for private hire in London; with a sharp and chic look, you could have the perfect celebration in their basement, which makes it an event more impressive venue.
