Nobody then wants to be disappointed when something dry and full of gristle turns up so here’s our pick of the best steaks in Manchester…
340g Rib-eye Steak @ Dakota Bar & Grill
Described as ‘The Best Steak in Manchester’ it’s hard to disagree when it looks and tastes like this. The recently opened hotel on Ducie Street comes complete with a fantastically stylish restaurant – Dakota Grill – whose steaks are certainly well worth a visit, even if you’re not actually staying at the hotel itself. They only serve up prime cuts of grass-fed, 35-day aged, UK-bred beef which is then lightly seasoned and then chargrilled for the perfect steak. Personally I’ll always go for their Rib-eye (£29) with a Bone Marrow Jus but you can’t go wrong with any of them to be fair.
Dakota Bar & Grill, 29 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JL
dakotahotels.co.uk
Yorkshire Wagyu Prime Cuts @ Cottonopolis
Anyone who knows anything about meat will tell you that Wagyu beef is pretty much the best in the world both in terms of flavour and succulence – mainly down to the signature fat marbling that occurs in the flesh. This is achieved not just because the cows are special but also because they are extremely well looked after, being fed a natural foraged diet, given massages and generally kept as happy as possible. Cottonopolis source theirs from Yorkshire, and the cuts are sublime – leaving you with a soft, tender steak that’s head and shoulders above most other places in the city.
Cottonopolis, 16 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AE
0161 236 5144
www.cottonopolis-nq.com
T-bone to Share @ Hawksmoor
Absolute experts when it comes to meat, Hawksmoor have enjoyed a few years at the very top of Manchester’s steak scene since opening a few years back. They offer a range of huge cuts including fillets, sirloin, rib-eye and rump, alongside larger cuts such as the mighty T-bone and the rather fancy Chateaubriand. They’ve always aimed to serve up the very best beef that Britain can offer and as such they are heavily involved in all aspects of farming with their suppliers. The meat is dry-aged for 35 days before cooking, improving flavour and tenderness – and it shows.
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
0161 836 6980
thehawksmoor.com
1.2kg Tomahawk @ KAI
Relative newcomers on the food scene, Turkish restaurant KAI on Deansgate have certainly nailed the steak game early doors with a mix of high-quality cuts and some expert open fire cooking. Nothing beats an open flame-cooked steak in my books and if anyone knows how to cook meat properly – it’s the Turkish. There’s a decent selection of cuts on offer but the best option is to splurge out on their absolutely massive Tomahawk (£70) which is more than enough to share among 4 of you. The best thing? One of their chefs will bring the steak to your table and carve it there – like that Salt Bae geezer.
KAI, 82-84 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2ER
0161 832 3431
houseofkai.co.uk
Japanese Black Wagyu @ Tattu
Another fabulous example of the versatility and quality of Wagyu – Tattu’s ribeye takes an Asian approach with a truffle sesame soy drizzled all over it. It’s truly spectacular – not just the cut and flavour of the meat but the accompanying sauce. Tattu is always a welcome extravagance and this dish is an even bigger indulgence that you won’t regret.
Tattu, 3 Hardman Square, Gartside St, Manchester M3 3EB
0161 819 2060
tattu.co.uk
Signature Beef Wellington @ Mamucium
Chef Andrew Green is a true pioneer when it comes to British meat, and so any visit to Mamucium is wasted unless at least one person tries either a steak or his signature Beef Wellington. Luckily for myself (and because I’m a fat sod), I’ve tried both and can safely say that they’re easily some of the best steaks in the city. The beef is reared and sourced locally before being aged on the bone for 28 days. What’s more they’ve recently launched a ‘Steaks at Mamucium’ night every Tuesday from 5pm where you can bag yourself a truly wonderful 8oz Sirloin with all the trimmings for £18.95.
Mamucium, 6 Todd St, Manchester M3 1WU
0161 359 7498
mamuciummcr.com
Churrasco de Chorizo @ Gaucho
A quintessential Manchester steak house, Gaucho is usually top of the list for most meat eaters in the city. This is primarily down to their premium cuts from Black Angus cattle, bred in Argentina and fed on 17 different types of grass. The cows are said to enjoy a “lush, free-range lifestyle in an area famed for its fertile soil” – which sounds better than my life to be fair. My personal favourite will always be the Churrasco de Chorizo (300g for £29) which comes marinated in garlic, parsley and olive oil and literally melts in your mouth.
Gaucho, 2A St Mary’s St, Manchester M3 2LB
0161 833 4333
gauchorestaurants.com
Butcher’s Cuts Sharer @ Alston Bar & Beef
Another relative newcomer to the steak scene in Manchester, Alston Bar & Beef serve up two of the city’s most favourite things – gin and meat (and to great success). Their beef is supplied by John Gilmour & Co – a family run business from up in Scotland who pride themselves on their ‘Tweed Valley Beef’ that’s aged for 35 days before it gets to your plate. You can’t really go wrong with anything on offer, but if you really want to push the boat out and get the meat sweats I suggest you opt for their Butcher’s Cuts Sharer (£60) which comes with flank, flat iron and hanger steaks – alongside the usual trimmings of course.
Alston Bar & Beef, Cathedral St, Manchester M4 3TR
0161 804 5555
alstonmanchester.co.uk
