Steak and Wine!

Let's start with the important things in life.. Steak and wine!

I know that a picture tells more than a few words and I'm sorry for my poor pictures, but as I can't afford to loose a nice camera every time I'm drunk, I will have to rely on my old iPhone or my friends camras, but I'm sure you will take my word for the food in stead of the pictures.. ;)

Okok.. anyways, to get to the point.. In London we have this big thing going on about "Steak Houses". All the tourists arrive at Paddington and see Angus Steakhouse. Wow, that's a nice steak (they think). Then they go to Piccadilly and Leicester Square and notice that it's the same shit every where! Ok, then we have Gaucho's, which don't get me wrong, used to be the "high end" Argentinian Steakhouse in London. I had many nice meals there, but honestly, I got fed up with the sales pitches they taught their personnel. Have u noticed that no matter what time you have your reservation, you will always be asked to have "a drink" at the bar. Then after that you will be offered all on the menu at several occasions.. Nothing really wrong with that if you work in sales.. It's like Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross, ABC, Always-Be-Closing!

So let's forget about these "theme" Steakhouses for a moment and concentrate on the real shizzle. It's no surprise that the "God Father" of all fine dining restaurants in London is looking to open a Steakhouse in Mayfair. After the success of Goodman's and Hawkmoore, Caprice Holdings is looking to open one in Grosvenor Square in June. I do really look forward visiting their new venue, hopefully it will bring a new twist to the dining scene in London. 

But, to go back a few months in time, I would like to introduce Hawksmoor, Goodman's and the Josper Charcoal Oven, which makes the steaks taste as they do! This invention is surely worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize, as every person who had meat cooked on it will be more than happy and satisfied with their life! I have actually heard that even Heston Blumenthal got himself a Josper, so all you bankers out there, if you have excess cash and want a proper steak, you should get one! (www.josper.es)

Anyways, back to the story.. I wanted to comment on an earlier review made by the highly respected Ricard Vines of Bloomberg News. He wrote a review about the newly opened Hawksmoor in Covent Garden. I do give respect to Mr. Vines for his excellent reviews of restaurants around the globe, but honestly I think that he had a few too many of the Zombies mixed at the bar at Hawksmoor.

The restaurant in itself is very charming with its "industrial" look, but at no point could I agree that the service was efficient or that there was any attention to detail. It was like any average Gaucho. The steaks were alright (but not for the price), the sides were embarrassing and the wine was overpriced.

I honestly do not understand how Mr. Vines managed to give the venue *** (First-class of its kind) of his prestigious stars… what a shame..

Moving along.. not far from Hawksmoor, you can really find "the best steak in London". I'm talking about Goodman Restaurant (www.goodmanrestaurants.com), the Russian owned Mayfair steakhouse. For meat lovers, it's something out-of-this-world. Not only can you get amazing stakes from 150 days corn fed USDA beef but you can also get wagyu (at 25 GBP / 100gr). The steaks are without a doubt to die for. Choose from your traditional Béarnaise, Pepper and Stilton sauce and to finish it off with an epic side order (which you don't really need!). Truffle chips, creamed spinach and mac and cheese, which are all to die for! (The picture is a 650gr Porterhouse)

This place goes never wrong, no matter who you are with. It is like Mr Vines says, ****(Incomparable food, service, ambience). Only few restaurants achieve this level of sophistication. For wine would I recommend the 2005 McRae Wood Shiraz.

That said, it's time to wish you all a good night!


Goodman Restaurant
26 Maddox Street
London W1S 1QH