What makes a perfect evening
out? Well, if you discount a lottery win
and hopping the next flight to a Caribbean island then drinks at my favourite bar
followed by dinner as a restaurant I’ve wanted to try for ages – squired by a
lovely companion – is pretty close.
We met at the 5th View Bar which is on top of Waterstones at Piccadilly! Or rather having been caught in a meeting, I
pecked his cheek as I rushed off to powder my nose – breathing heavily as I had
climbed 5 floors hoping that there may be a loo on one of the landings.
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| With thanks to Londontown.com |
Finally settling into one of the
leather chair banks against the wall (the coveted window tables were reserved),
we perused the menu – the shorter than I remember cocktail menu that is. How dare they change something I love? I enjoyed a bitter elder (gin, elderflower,
fresh apple and lemon) as he chose a London 2012 (bubbles as raspberry). And over excellent conversation which
veered between Red Dwarf and pop psychology, we had another one before
wandering off for dinner.
The Hawksmoor is billed as a British
steakhouse and cocktail bar. Indeed, it
has been much reviewed and some rate it as their favourite restaurant so as he
steered me towards the entrance (this sense of direction thing has never been
very good), I was intrigued. Inside, it
is very masculine with loads of dark wood, leather chairs and relatively low
ceilings.
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| With thanks to A&H Magazine |
As an avowed boys-girl (as in I
used to climb trees and can argue rugby), I liked it and when we were seated
before being presented with a cocktail menu, I REALLY liked it. Then we met the waitress who I fear we
disappointed.
I worked as a waitron for 4 years
(to fund university) so am well aware of the impact that you can have on
someone’s evening – if the service is good, bad or indifferent, you can make or
break someone’s view of the restaurant.
But, I’m not sure anyone told her this.
Having chosen the cocktails (I
believe we both went for the marmalade one which was tart and tasty), we
perused the menu. Now, I understand that
some menus can be complex but it was one side and focused on steak or seafood
so I can’t say I was overly interested when she pointed out that the v.
expensive dishes were for 2 and the different cuts of meat.
I believe she did ask if we had
ever eaten at the Hawksmoor before but I hope that this was just part of my
cocktail addled imagination. This isn’t Nandos which can be quite complex for the uninitatied.
Then we moved on to the ordering
process and I seemed to get this very wrong.
I would like my rib-eye rare before changing it as she sucked her breath
in and looked at me like I had suggested kitten crisps. I don’t want a sauce, caused a raised eyebrow
as did the choice to have the triple cooked chips. Naturally, my companion managed to avoid
this and even ordered spinach, lemon and garlic which brought an approving
smile.
When it arrive, the food was
good! Very, very good! The steak had a nice char on the outside but
remained easy to cut and slightly pink as per requested. It was an excellent steak. The chips were crispy but fluffy – which did
create carb envy as I can ever quite do this at home. And the company continued to be entertaining
(despite the braying bankers to my right).
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| With thanks to eatlikeagirl.com |
Excellent coffee was our final
course (another disappointment for a friendly waitron I fear) and so concluded
a lovely meal in a great restaurant with an enchanting companion. Would I go again?
Only if you promise that each
choice I make whether I wish to have my steak well done or simply shown the
grill before a member of the kitchen staff stamps on it, will not be critiqued! I am an adult who can afford to eat in your
restaurant so treat me like one – honest, I will be fine
L x
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