Tried & tasted: London Steakhouse Co

If you ask me, there’s no meal more satisfying than a good steak. Marco Pierre White has become something of an expert in this field, and in 2008 opened the first of two London Steakhouse Co restaurants in the City of London. If you’re a fan of traditional British food, this is definitely the place for you.

Nestled in a cosy basement on a quiet alley just off Bishopsgate, the restaurant offers chic interiors, attentive staff and a lively atmosphere. My dining companion and I visit on a Saturday afternoon, and even then, nearly every table is taken and there’s a delightful buzz of conversation in the air. Most of the seats face the bar, which gives you the chance to check out the wide selection of spirits – and perfect for tantalising you to order an aperitif while you peruse the menu.

Steak obviously takes centre stage here. Other dishes are traditional British fare with a slightly European twist – think boeuf bourguignon and chicken Kiev. On the website you’ll find a guide to the different cuts of grass-fed Scottish beef (which comes from master butcher Aubrey Allen) and the staff are happy to go over this with you at your table. As a steak lover I immediately choose an eight-ounce rump with béarnaise sauce and a side of creamed spinach. But first up for me is the day’s special starter, a light beetroot salad with caramelised walnuts and goat’s cheese. My partner decides on the kipper paté with whisky served with melba toast.

When the mains arrive, I realise my eyes might be bigger than my stomach – it looks impressive. For my plus-one it’s a roasted salmon fillet with parmesan risotto and lobster bisque. We ambitiously also ordered a side of hand-cut house fries (the restaurant donates 50p for every order of these to childhood cancer charity CLIC Sargent). Both of our dishes are mouth-watering and delicious. My glass of 2014 Amaru Malbec from Argentina goes perfectly with the beef.

I somehow soldier on and order an American favourite – pecan pie served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. My companion can’t resist the vanilla cheesecake served with a dollop of berries on top. Let’s just say when we finish we have big smiles on our faces.

The City restaurant features a private dining space with its own bar, which can seat up to 20 people, while the Chelsea location offers a semi-private mezzanine with room for 22.

London Steakhouse Co City; 109-117 Middlesex Street, London E1 7JF; 020 7247 5050; londonsteakhousecompany.com

What we had
Beetroot salad: £8
Kipper paté with whisky: £8
Roasted salmon fillet: £19.50
8oz Rump: £18.50
House fries: £4.75
Creamed spinach: £4.75
Amaru Malbec: £10
Tanqueray G&T: £9
Total: £82.50