Eating out as an adult at the Hawksmoor

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. 

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. 

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).

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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