Pix (Notting Hill)

Sampled Pix as we were unable to get a table elsewhere in Notting Hill without a reservation. It was quiet which means we got a table, however with the prices we paid and the level of food we got, I know why they were quiet. This is a place to have a small snack, a drink and pay a lot of money. It appears to be style over substance here. Service was ok, shame about the ambiance.
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David Lance
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Very disappointing, nothing like a Spanish pintxo bar and with little or no customers dining, not exactly the place to be. Food ok, expensive when all added up and would not go back.
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Gemma
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Decided to give this place a go one Saturday lunchtime due to crowds elsewhere. Had been wanting to try it and it seemed like a good opportunity.

The concept is great, and the selection of bite-sized offerings laid out was fantastic. Lots of cheese- and ham-inspired fare, perfect for lovers of both, and the desserts were pretty tasty as well.

The service was slow, but we were having a good old chinwag so we didn't really mind.

The shock came when the bill arrived - almost £60 for two people with only one glass of wine each and I didn't think either of us had gone that nuts on the food (my companion certainly didn't).

This is NOT a place to come if you're hungry - call in for a snack and a vino in the afternoon or on the way too or from somewhere else in the evening, but not if you want proper feeding.
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Dud
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Monday, February 15, 2010

There’s nothing nicer than when you get persuaded to do something that you’re not keen about and it turns out to be just fantastic. My brother and his wife wanted to go to a new(ish) bar in Westbourne Grove that does a sort of tapas called pintxos. I wasn’t keen at first, I’d seen an iffy review in the Standard from Andrew Neather and I wanted to go to the Argentinian steak place in Battersea that made the semis in Gordon Ramsay’s neighbourhood restaurant competition.

Anyway, I got overruled and 6 of us headed over to Westbourne Grove for a quite fabulous evening. The place is beautiful, the staff are beautiful (although quite why Mr Neather sneers at this, I don’t know) and the food is just magnificent. I don’t have huge experience of Spanish cuisine, so I don’t have little bars in Barcelona to compare it with, but I was a half-decent chef for 15 years so I know what the output of a well-run kitchen looks like; and this is it.

We were made to feel very welcome by a front-of-house team that has the glow that comes from knowing that you’re good at something and getting a kick from doing it. Our waitress, Harriet, was as warm and efficient as she is undoubtedly lovely and her knowledge of the wine list, cocktail menu and the pintxos on offer was all we needed to navigate our way through a memorable evening.

I agree with Andrew Neather on the foie gras with white chocolate, I didn’t like it; but I was the only person at our table who didn’t. And I do think they should use the traditional bourbon in their Whiskey Sour, rather than Scotch, as it adds a sweetness and aroma that takes the edge off the lemon juice. And if you’re adding egg white as a thickener, as they do, it’s technically a Boston Sour; but now I’m getting really picky.

Bottom line, the food was really delicious, the cocktails were outstanding and the service was something they really should be very proud of. When I dine in London, I have to get a train from Ashford in Kent, book a babysitter, and be back on the train, Cinderella-style by midnight. It’s a lot of planning and expense and if we get the restaurant wrong, it absolutely ruins an expensive evening.

Last night we went to PIX, Westbourne Grove, and we got it so, so right.
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Jonny Maxton
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 16, 2010

we loved it. the food was great and the place rocks. might not be the place for old people but its a must go for notting hill
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jess weeks
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Sunday, November 08, 2009

I was hoping to visit somewhere that could become my local neighbourhood restaurant/bar. After calling 3 attempts to book a table with a group of friends, I got told by the manager that he was not sure if it was possible and could I call back later!? booking policy/customer service all very vague. So we went elsewhere. However returned on Sunday to give it another shot, to look at an alternative to a usual roast or brunch. When we arrived it was relatively quiet and the decor looked nice. Decor is one thing but no Spanish influence here, as none of the dishes came across as incredibly authentic or inspiring. Having visited many bars in Barcelona we knew what to expect but at Pix the bread appeared to be slightly stale and soggy in the middle. Flavours were just not there. The cava's were in plenty but without the food match, it's just not right. After some time, the late afternoon turned into some bar for young kids with a DJ and pumping music, confused at to what exactly the desired achievement is here but it is nothing like a pintxo bar. So, it's back to my usual haunts of Notting Hill with great delight.
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Morgan Williams
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Sunday, October 04, 2009

I read this review before my visit to Pix Bar and was dreading heading there, although several friends from the area had told me it's a must. One of my favourite activities when I am in barcelona is the pintxo experience.

So with trepidation we headed down to pix bar on friday evening hoping that it couldn't be that bad? Well, thankfully for us the food was delicious! The fore mentioned asparagus, white chocolate and foie gras for me was an actual delight and although I agree the tortilla is nothing like authentic I loved the twist of celeriac and goats cheese. I noticed the tomatoes though, they definately need to address that.

Unlike the other reviewer, I love their attempt to not be totally authentically spanish and the bubble and squeak is a winner. We also had several waiters and waitresses (who are all gorgeous) bring food to our table to offer us hot pintxos coming from the kitchen these were all lovely and the goats cheese stuffed peppers are fantastic.

In general the whole of the wine list may not have been inspiring but there are some wonderful little suprises in there for those who know spain well.

I have made many visits to the barcelona pintxo bars and feel that pix has been dealt a slightly harsh blow from the reviewer, they may have a few flaws that need ironing out, but the whole experience was great, probably the other groups holding up the tables or queuing out the door to get in would agree with me, I for one will certainly go back!
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Tony Johnson
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Left hungry! They may only be £2.50 each but it mounts up to a lot of money when I can get a meal elsewhere and feel full. Not sure if they are a bar or restaurant with an emphasis on banging music trying to make it look cool. Not spanish in food as it should be, fois gras - is this not French?? Waitress pretty but drinks very slow and when they eventually arrived the white wine was warm, and coffee....what coffee?? Would I return, afraid not.
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Michelle Evans
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Saturday, September 26, 2009

Not sure this really works in Westbourne Grove. Are we ready for food on sticks, especially when you arrive expecting something like skewered tapas and get some seriously odd and definitely not Spanish flavour combos? You would have to eat a lot to feel full so I would suggest it works better as a bar or a cafe, but they're clearly trying hard to make it work as a restaurant.

Interesting concept, but it might work better with some traditional Spanish dishes rather than creative but not very tasty canapes. Service good though, very sweet waitress.
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6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Thursday, September 24, 2009