As a Muslim, I know how hard it can be to find a steak house that first sells halal food, and then second, is sophisticated enough to visit on a Friday night out. If you've walked passed London’s posh restaurants with envy and wished they served halal food, then envy no more. Despite the name, Meat & Wine Co. bends over backwards to accommodate its Muslim guests. Diners can enjoy many meaty treats from the halal menu, but it doesn't just stop there. In deference to Muslim dietary laws, the venue even has a halal eating area. Thoughtfully designed, it blocks views of the restaurant's wine racks - which are for its non-Muslim guests. The bar area has a wide selection of non-alcoholic wines and cocktails which makes it the perfect place to visit on a night out.
Food for thought
Unless you are a meat expert, it can be daunting ordering steak, because the cut has an impact on how it should be cooked. That's why I was so pleased to note that a waiter came to our table with a selection of the restaurant's cuts to explain how they taste and whether they should be cooked blue, rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well or well done. The star of the restaurant is its English Angus fillet. The meat has virtually no fat and is best served at the recommended medium state. However, each dish is tailor-made to suit each individual's taste.
Guests may also select from a range of sauces including green peppercorn, Portuguese sauce, creamy garlic, or creamy mushroom. For a few extra pounds, diners can also feast on extra side dishes such as onion rings, creamy spinach and steamed basmati rice. What I really liked about the restaurant is that despite its very posh decor, the staff are far from pretentious. A perfect example of this is that despite there being an array of elaborate sauces to accompany the steaks, diners are always offered tomato ketchup, mayonnaise and barbecue sauce to accompany their chips.
It is the attention to detail and lack of pretense, that makes the restaurant a must-visit venue when a comfortable, delicious steak is what you crave. Although the restaurant is famed for it's delicious beef, there is an extensive range of chicken, duck, fish and vegetarian dishes. Dishes that come highly recommended include the flame-grilled butcher skewer which is marinated cuts of beef skewered with onions and capsicum. It is flame-grilled with its unique basting sauce, served with fresh hand cut potato chips. If you fancy a change, then try the duck breast which is marinated in five spiced that is grilled and served with potato gratin, sautéed bok choi and red current jus. Vegetarians are also catered to with a wide selection of items including falafel burger, which is served in a foccacia bun and served with tzatziki and sweet chilli dip.
Something Sweet
When it comes to desserts then you must try the Malva Pudding. The sugary sweet treat is a South African version of sticky toffee pudding and is said to be Nelson Mandela’s favourite pudding.
The sponge cake is drenched in a caramelised sauce with apricot jam and is served with vanilla ice-cream. The best thing about the dessert is that £1 from the sale is donated to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. It is also a nod to the fact that the restaurant was first set up in 2000 in South Africa.
Quench Your Thirst
Muslims will be pleased to know that there is a wide selection on non-alcoholic wines and cocktails. I'd recommend the ‘MWCO Lemonade’ which is fresh pear and lychee muddled together with lemon juice, sugar syrup topped with apple juice. It is served over crushed ice and is seriously refreshing.
Cost
Starters range from £5.50 to £28, main go from £16 to £42 and desserts range from £5 to £20.
Details
For more information on Meat & Wine Co in Westfield Shopping Centre, London call 0208 749 5914.
Aamina Zafar - Aamina Zafar
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