Steaks Ahoy! Welcome to Hawksmoor
By Patito, published on 14 February 2009
There are two things you need to know about steakhouses: they serve steak and they’re full of men. Obvious, you might think, but it hadn’t dawned on us until half way through our meal. Looking around the room, all we could see were whole tables, 6, 7, 10 men sitting around ribeye-ing each other’s plates up. They came in all shapes and sizes, something for everyone. And the same for the steaks.
But we’re jumping ahead. Hawksmoor has an unassuming front, decor and attitude. The Zagat review was good enough to get this foodie out to the City on a Friday night and what a find. Juleps are the house cocktail, so waiting for the rest of the party to arrive, we tucked right in. A long drink, served in a tankard with lashings of ice … it was tasty enough but the fun really started when we turned to pages 3 and 4 of the (15 page) cocktail menu. This place takes its drinks seriously. Introducing ourselves to Lukas the Italo-Polish barman was a good move. He took us on a cocktailtastic journey: martini glasses, champagne flutes, a cheeky shot glass. They all came out to play. It was everything that’s fun about cocktails.
And the food. What a treat. Hawksmoor’s meat is supplied by the Ginger Pig. If you haven’t heard of them, look up the ‘hog blog’. We skipped starters and went straight in with the tough questions: which cut? The waitress looked through her list: in addition to those on the menu, she could offer us an 800g fillet, a 600g sirloin but no t-bone, “sorry about that”. What would she recommend? “Ribeye!” A barrage of questions followed. It was time to bring out the big guns. His name was Tony and he was head chef. Clearly proud of his ingredients, he explained that all meat was sourced from Yorkshire farms and hung for 35 days. Ribeye was his favourite cut and a great choice. He was right. It’s only when you have a really good steak that you remember why it’s such a treat. Served medium rare with a basket of chips and a selection of (unnecessary) sauces, it melted in the mouth. Simply magical!
Hawksmoor, 157 Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ, Tel: +44 20 7247 7392
Steaks Ahoy! Welcome to Hawksmoor
There are two things you need to know about steakhouses: they serve steak and they’re full of men. Obvious, you might think, but it hadn’t dawned on us until half way through our meal. Looking around the room, all we could see were whole tables, 6, 7, 10 men sitting around ribeye-ing each other’s plates [...]
4 Responses to “Steaks Ahoy! Welcome to Hawksmoor”
-
Well, well, well – It turns out that I’m off to Hawksmoor next week, so I’ll be putting your review to the test!
-
[...] in Pimlico; our favourite Thai restaurant, Sukho, in Fulham; phenomenal steaks at Shoreditch’s Hawksmooor; the wonderful Gilmour’s in Chelsea; peerless burgers at Byron on the King’s Road; superior [...]
-
Great expectations: bring on Sardo « The Prodigal Guide
18 February 2010
[...] chance to experience the mastery of Sardo came one sunny Wednesday in February. One year on from The Guide’s memorable night with Lukas at Hawksmoor, a pregnant lady, a young mother and a broken heart were back for another evening of fun, food and [...]
The Prodigal Fool
14 February 2009
Patito! Welcome to The Prodigal Guide, at last your first post! Excellent review. I’m looking forward to reading more about your search for good food, cocktails and..hmmm…men. (Actually, that last one….not so much.)