Celina Brar sinks her teeth into some of London’s suavest steak at STK London
With plenty of places to choose from, we’re pretty spoilt for steak in London. However, only a handful have DJs performing in the middle of the restaurant and Vegas vibes from the outset.
STK London at the ME Hotel on the Strand offers exactly that, as I discover with a meat-filled visit.
The Venue
It’s worth noting that STK London doesn’t resemble your traditional steak restaurant – it feels more like a club.
The first thing I notice about the other guests is that the girls are very dressed up – think bodycon party dresses and heels.
The bathrooms are full of people taking photos (understandably, the lighting there is great). It’s a Thursday night and the atmosphere is cool, the DJ is playing and the bar is full.
Our table is in the middle of the restaurant, directly opposite the DJ and ideally positioned for a spot for people watching.
The Food & Drink
Once settled in, we’re offered the warm homemade bread with chives and blue cheese. Fluffy and flavoursome, the bread definitely deserves a mention.
According to our very lovely waitress, the mini burgers (Lil’ Brgs) are their signature starter, so I try them and my brother opts for the Gin & Tonic Marinated Scottish Salmon with blackberry, cucumber tartare, soda bread and dill.
Whilst the mini burgers were delicious, it was the salmon that surprised us both. Considering this is a steak restaurant, our expectations for the fish were pretty low – but it ended up being one of our highlights.
The portion size was perfect, and it was a great way to start the meal, given that steak for main course was a no-brainer.
Though the mini burgers were also great, it did feel a little too indulgent having a burger followed by steak.
Onto the steak, South American Grain Fed Beef Fillet 200g, served with French fries and the signature STK sauce. Plus – a side order of truffle mac and cheese, because who can resist that?
We all have personal preferences when it comes to which sauce we like poured over our steak. For me, it’s always béarnaise. For my brother, it’s strictly peppercorn.
As STK have their signature sauce, it didn’t make sense to go for anything else. The sauce was different to what I’m used to – filled with smoky, BBQ flavours.
If, like me, you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be pretty excited about the dessert menu. It includes classics such as a New York Cheesecake and STK creations such as a Junk Chalice to share – vanilla and caramel pecan ice cream, boozy whipped cream popcorn, salted caramel brownie, caramel sauce, marshmallow and candy floss.
A dream for any chocoholic, this is exactly what we devoured. Whilst it’s an incredibly Instagrammable dish, after mini burgers and a full-on steak, it was a bit too rich for us.
The Wordrobe Verdict
STK London is not your usual steak restaurant; the vibes are completely different from anywhere else.
It’s undeniably a strange sensation when a DJ is blasting Kanye West while you’re eating steak, but if you’re looking for a trendy, party atmosphere to enjoy your dinner, this is the place for you.
Make it happen
Where: 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA
How: Click here or phone 020 7395 3450 to find out more and make a booking.
Words by Celina Brar
