Méabh R.
Yelp
One might wonder how a vegetarian managed to end up eating at a steakhouse, but the pals were determined to go and who am I to argue? I thought it might be interesting to see what there was on offer for me, anyway.
The decor is all concrete and copper and tile and frosted glass, which made it LOUD. I'd not want one of their tables for two, as they looked fairly cramped, but our spacious, heated booth was grand.
We had a couple of really delicious cocktails while we waited in the wee bar, though my friend's two identical cocktails tasted completely different from the first one to the next, so some consistency is required behind the bar there.
The wine list is keenly priced (bottles start at £20 and don't go much past the £80 mark) and our organic Fiano was a good choice.
Food-wise, my friends adored their steaks, and claimed they were cooked exactly as ordered, and my token veggie option (gnocchi gratin in a mushroomy garlicky cream) was fine - small for the price and nothing outstanding but hey, folk aren't coming here to eat potato dumplings.
The sides were nicely presented and well executed, but that's where they get you at 3 quid a pop, and you don't get anything with your meat except a tiny pot of sauce, so they really are a necessity. Five sides between 3 wasn't really enough, either.
Coffee was good - decent crema on the espresso. Nice cups.
Where we felt a bit cheated was with our post-prandial nip of whisky. We asked for a list and were told there wasn't one, so we went up to the bar to have a look. I chose my standard Old Pulteney, and my friend picked a 17 year-old Mortlach as we'd not tried that one. Whiskies drank, we got the bill, to find that the Mortlach was 15 quid a dram! At no point could we see prices, nor were we told at the bar when we ordered that this was a "premium" spirit. Kind of a dampener on the end of a good night.
Service was efficient and friendly, if a little slow. They had a large party and were totally full on a Tuesday night though, so the three of them did a grand job considering. We were busy chatting and drinking wine, anyway, and they had offered us bread while we waited, which we turned down.
All in all, if you're a steak lover, you'll like this place. Come with a group of friends. Order a few bottles from the cheap end of the list. Share all the sides. Don't bother with anything that isn't a steak. I won't be back, but will happily recommend it to those I know would appreciate it.