Colleen C.
Yelp
Well, Flat Iron certainly has this shit down, eh?
Having never been to the other locations I didn't quite know what to expect. I surely did not expect this level of service AND efficiency AND great food all in one!
1. No reservations. At first I can hear you thinking -- groan -- really? In Shoreditch? No reservations? I'll be waiting FOREVER. But here's the thing -- you won't. The tables turn fast due to the speed at which these tasty steaks and sides are whizzed to your table (an abbreviated menu allows that) -- so you'll be eating before you know it. You'll also not be subjected to the utter bullshit Shoreditch host-snobbery when you turn up to a place without a booking and you get the dreaded "DO YOU HAVE A BOOKING?" sneer, as they glare at you stressed out and angry before you've even managed to cross into the dining room. RIght, none of that ok!? None of it. Flat Iron, bravo.
2. Limited menu. Steaks. Sides. Cocktails. Wine. One dessert. The options are limited, but if you want a really great steak for a tenner, you've come to the absolute right f'in place guys. The wine and drinks also lovely. The dessert was a bit of a miss for me (mousse -- but really, it was a cup of whipped cream) -- but forgiven, the rest of the meal was bonkers nice for the speed and the price. Wait, is this fast food and I've been tricked? No. No. It's not, but it's so fast you'll almost feel like it! And in some ways, that's a very good thing. Wait, all ways.
3. Shit runs in order here: VERY orderly. Everyone is with it. People are bouncing around serving popcorn starters and delivering plates and making people happy. This place is run on steak fat - meaning, the best way. Well oiled and something to grab on to. Another round of applause.
4. Location: FINALLY something in this space that doesn't SUCK. The last 2 attempts were abysmal. Flat Iron has the right recipe to spice up this somewhat dead section of Curtain Road. They've outfitted the space well, it's welcoming and nice and not obnoxious. This is a hard thing in Shoreditch sometimes.
5. PRICE. Cheap. We even splurged on the special steaks that were £15 each, indulged in a bottle of wine, ordered every side, additional fizzy non alocholic drinks -- and our bill was STILL under 80 quid. Go try doing that elsewhere near here that's not a food truck. I dare you!
Well done. My only regret is now I'm leaving the area and won't get to make Flat Iron a regular haunt with friends and guests. It's a great low key spot that delivers high marks.
Ps. Get it medium rare - always.