Devon Crab On Toast
Hawksmoor Spitalfields

Hawksmoor Spitalfields

157a Commercial Street London, E1 6BJ, United Kingdom

Meat • Beer • Steak • Drinks


"There is just something so satisfying about a quality steak that can't be replicated or replaced by anything else. The thought of looking at a plate while a massive slab of meat stares back is a sight that sends shivers down my primal spine. But it is a risky game; get a bad steak and you'll be regretting your decision till the cows come home. So where does one turn when in need of a steak fix? For me, the search always starts at Hawksmoor. Numbering 6 strong across the UK (with 5 being in London), Hawksmoor is committed to showcasing the best beef Britain has to offer and is uncompromising in that pursuit. Hawksmoor doesn't take shortcuts and the evidence is in the product. Sending me off on my steak odyssey was a starter of fillet steak tartare which was a delight. Fresh and tender mince was combined with capers, gherkin and an egg yolk to produce a pure taste which was incredible. Understandably, tartare may not be everyone's bag but if it is, this is a must. Onto the main event and as a raw beef lover it was the rump steak for me, which at £18 for 400g of protein represented insane value especially considering the quality of the meat and preparation. Dare I say it, it was one of the best steaks I've had in my lifetime; so soft and tender, the beef cooked to utter perfection with a respect to the natural flavours of the beef which shone through. For those with a more refined taste though, a selection of cuts is available from sirloin to ribeye to fillet however don't forgot to check the blackboard of special cuts of the day which for those with a real appetite to satisfy. But a steak alone does not make a meal and at Hawksmoor, this is understood as sides of triple cooked chips and smoked bone marrow more than hold their own. The mac and cheese however, is something flat entirely and to call it a side almost seems to be disrespectful but such is the quality of the beef that it is stuck on the bench. But to miss this would be a crime. Struggling to stand, our meal at Hawksmoor stopped here but what a meal it was. If you love steak, this is your holy ground. Come hungry. Also follow me on Twitter @annixontong and @wetrykai and on Instagram @annixontong."

Hawksmoor Knightsbridge

Hawksmoor Knightsbridge

3 Yeoman's Row London, SW3 2AL, SW3 1LA, United Kingdom

Wine • Steak • British • Seafood


"If you’re a London foodie, the name Hawksmoor is likely to be familiar to you. Regarded by many as the best steak restaurant in London, there are now five branches in the capital and one in Manchester – a homage to the popularity of the brand. The concept has grown a long way since friends Huw Gott and Will Beckett opened the first Hawksmoor in Spitalfields in 2006 with the straight forward attitude of providing excellent produce cooked well.I’ve mentioned before that it’s not always easy to find a restaurant to please all my family members but I knew that Hawksmoor would fit the bill and having eaten before at their Air Street branch (pre-blog) I was keen to try the latest outpost in the one of London’s most fashionable areas; Knightsbridge. Hawksmoor Knightsbridge is located in a subterranean cavern on Yeoman’s Row just off Brompton Road. I recognised the venue as soon as we arrived, it used to be Frankie’s – a garishly glitzy New York-style dining room that was a collaboration between Marco Pierre White and jockey Frankie Detorri. But the mirror balls and tacky checked table clothes have all been cleared out to make way for clean lines, bright lighting, charcoal grey banquettes and a semi open kitchen. I had no doubt already that food was also much improved from the days that 3 Yeoman’s Row housed Frankie’s.When Mr S and I arrived Susan SilverSpoon and Dr SilverSpoon were already there, perusing the menu and looking hungry! I quickly gave my dad his birthday gift so we could order our food promptly.I chose a raw sea bass to starter, perfectly prepared and beautifully finished with chilli and ginger. I love raw ginger and plenty of it, though this isn’t one for you if you don’t like the slightly pungent taste of the spice. I also dived in (not literally) to Mr S’s steaming pot of mussels and was pleased to see big, fat sea food in a delicious light wine sauce, enhanced with bay leaves and chilli.It was a pretty, light beetroot and goats cheese salad for my mum."

The Butlers Arms

The Butlers Arms

444 Lichfield Road Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 4BL, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Beer • Wine • Steak • Casual


"We recently moved to the area and saw the great reviews on travel advisers, so we booked a table as a special opportunity to celebrate the women's birthdays that both appeared. Unfortunately we were so disappointed. We booked a table for 4 people at 8 a.m. and arrived 10 minutes early. We said the table was not ready and was asked to drink a drink at the bar while the table was prepared. After 15 minutes of waiting, we asked with the manager if the table was ready, and he said a few more minutes. After another 10 minutes we asked the manager again and he said he can't force people to leave the table if they weren't ready. In fact, he was rather rude and abrupt and did not apologize. At 08:25 we suggested that we had enough to wait a round and wanted to go and suddenly our table was ready. Once we were asked if we wanted more drinks and then our order was taken. No offer was made for a round of drinks on the house to be waited. Our starters arrived within 20 minutes and immediately followed by our main courses. Three of the party ordered steaks. The steak was blande and the peppercorn sauce was without peppercorns. During one of the table staff the plates she asked if everything was fine with meals, we mentioned the tasteless steaks and sauce and we were rudely said we had mentioned something at the beginning. The young lady who presented us with the bill was very pleasant and polite the manager should take a leaf out of her book. Unfortunately, we will never return to this facility again."